Fuerte Arts Movement (FAM)

Background

The Fuerte Arts Movement is an arts and left-wing advocacy organization founded in 2020 by Xenia Orona and Dominique Medina. Orona and Medina previously managed a for-profit creative agency before establishing the nonprofit to integrate art with left-of-center advocacy. Initially launched as a digital-first initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization expanded from video production into community workshops and performance art. ^{1  2  3}

The organization maintains a close connection to Wingbeat 88, a fiscal project of the One Arizona network, a left-of-center voter registration group. The Fuerte Arts Movement also operates as an affiliate of the Center for Popular Democracy. ^{4  5  2}

Advocacy and Creative Initiatives

The Fuerte Arts Movement manages several collectives that combine art with political activism. The Song Action Collective produces music on social issues, including the vinyl release “Songs That Right Wrongs.” The organization also maintains the “Fuerte Network” on YouTube and a digital “Zine Library” covering topics such as “environmental racism,” voter suppression, and rent. ^{1  6}

The group’s policy positions emphasize that “housing is a human right” and challenge business influence on local housing markets. Organization directors use media appearances to link creative storytelling to specific legislative goals like rent stabilization and environmental equity. ^{2  1}

Financials

The Fuerte Arts Movement reported total revenue of $337,526 for the 2024 fiscal year, all of which was derived from contributions. During this period, the organization’s total expenses reached $445,285, resulting in a net loss of $107,759. A significant portion of the organization’s spending was dedicated to personnel, with $183,443 allocated to salaries and wages, accounting for 41.2 percent of total expenses. At the conclusion of the fiscal year, the Fuerte Arts Movement held $246,472 in total assets and $18,000 in total liabilities, leaving the organization with net assets of $228,472. ⁷

In 2023, the Grove Action Fund reported a $30,000 grant to the Fuerte Arts Movement. ⁸

In 2023, All Voting Is Local Action reported a $40,000 grant to the Fuerte Arts Movement for “civic education.” ⁹

In 2024, the American Heart Association (AHA) reported a $25,000 grant to the Fuerte Arts Movement for “preemption defense fund.” ¹⁰

People

As of February 2026, Dominique Medina is the co-executive director of Fuerte Arts Movement. His professional background includes over seven years of experience in digital content, web development, and new media management for nonprofits and political campaigns. Medina has specialized in utilizing platforms like NationBuilder and NGP VAN to increase voter engagement and has been a housing advocate in Arizona. ^{2  3  11}

As of February 2026, Xenia Orona is the co-executive director and co-founder of the Fuerte Arts Movement. Her professional background includes co-owning a creative business and directing advocacy campaigns focused on voting rights and immigrant justice. Orona has held leadership roles within the One Arizona coalition and maintains strong organizational ties to the Center for Popular Democracy and Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA). ^{12  13  14  11}