Symphony Swan Zawadi

About Symphony Swan Zawadi

Symphony Swan Zawadi (she/her) is an artist, outsider preservationist, archivist, cultural strategist, and founder of THE CR8TV HOUSE, A arts project turned non-profit. THE CR8TV HOUSE is an arts and culture organization that has transformed her childhood home into a hub for storytelling, artist support and memory keeping for Black and Brown creatives. With over a decade of experience in arts education, nonprofit leadership, and philanthropy, Symphony brings a deep commitment to equity, imagination, and community care.

She began her career as a K–8 art teacher before serving as a school administrator, where she focused on culturally responsive leadership, community building and student-centered learning. Symphony holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and completed her graduate degree in educational leadership, equipping her to lead in both classroom and organizational settings with clarity, empathy, and vision.

Today, Symphony channels her interdisciplinary expertise into building creative ecosystems that honor legacy, foster healing, and invest in future generations. Her work has earned her recognition as the 2023 Milwaukeean of the Year by Shepherd Express, 2024 Gener8tor Art Fellowship Recipient and most recently the 2025 City of Milwaukee Friends of the Arts. She also serves as a trustee for the Milwaukee Art Museum. She continues to advocate for artist-led systems change that reflect the communities they serve.