Meet Nicole Hendrix | Executive Director, BRIC Foundation & Co-Founder, Concept Art Association & Freelance Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Hendrix and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think the most important factor behind my success is that it’s not about me. Every company I either co-own or work with is deeply rooted in advocacy and equity, with every project taken on intentionally supporting the mission and populations served. When you’re passionate about the work, have a plan, and have a track record for executing a vision successfully, it can be easier to get people on board to help further the cause.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
BRIC Foundation has one main goal: to increase representation in Entertainment, Gaming, Media, and Tech. By strategically engaging with leaders across these industries, along with Government and Education Partners, BRIC strives to Break, Reinvent, Impact and Change the foundations of these businesses and create inclusive opportunities for women and underrepresented people to be successful. We do this through a yearly Summit that happens end of February each year, a Summer Internship Program, and working directly with High Schools to connect them with industry, and we just registered the first Youth (16-24) Apprenticeship Program in Animation, Visual Effects, and Gaming to help improve equity and access into the industry.

The Concept Art Association is an organization committed to elevating and raising the profile of concept and visual development artists, their art, and their involvement in the entertainment industries across animation, live-action, and gaming. We do monthly free events throughout the year, have a mentorship program, and an annual Concept Art Awards Show where we showcase and recognize these behind-the-scenes individuals working in entertainment concept art, and have our first book, The Art of Ron Cobb, with Titan Publishing releasing at San Diego Comic-Con this year. We have several other books in progress and are also working with the Margaret Herrick Academy Library to help more concept artists and their art be accessible for educational and curatorial purposes. In addition to publishing and events, we are also in development on several documentaries about the artists and the craft, and are doing our first gallery show May 7th and 8th at Gallery Nucleus.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Pre-Pandemic/Pre-Parenthood we lived in Historic Core in DTLA, and that is absolutely where my heart lies. The LA Conservancy’s Walking Tours are amazing- the Art Deco and Theater tours are my favorite. I will try to not write a novel of all the delicious food (that has survived pandemic) in DTLA, but I really recommend Badmaash, Holy Basil, Bar Ama, and Wood Spoon, then Bavel, Manuela, and Majordomo for a bit of a splurge. The Alamo Drafthouse is one of our favorite places to hang, their events are a lot of fun. For a drink, I love the Rhythm Room (great place for live music and darts), The Wolves, and Apotheke. Can’t give enough love to DTLA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I work best with a partner for many reasons, and I am truly thankful for my BRIC Partner, Alison Mann and Concept Art Association Partner, Rachel Meinerding. Both of these women are powerhouses and we have complementary skill sets that have enabled us to create something really cool and meaningful over the past four years.

Both BRIC and CAA have had many organizations and companies believe and invest in us from the beginning, with BRIC being supported by the Animation Industry studio system and CAA being supported by Bobby Chiu of LightBox Expo and Legacy Effects since Day One. The risk and investment that the companies made in us enabled us to grow and further expand upon our mission.

And of course, my husband, Josh Herman. When I decided to leave my full-time in-house Marketing Director role in 2017 to go freelance to launch these businesses, he encouraged me to jump and has been at almost every event both companies have ever put on. His unwavering support and belief in what we’re doing and what I could personally achieve helped me to believe in myself and put away any imposter syndrome that might pop up.

Website: bricfoundation.org / conceptartassociation.com

Instagram: @bricfound / @conceptartassociation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleahendrix/

Image Credits
Nicole Headshot & Nicole and Alison image: Cam Thrower BRIC Summit 1 & 2: Marcus Meisler Drink & Draw 1 & 2: Nikki Boutté