About

Frances Bradley is a distinguished multidisciplinary artist, creative leader, social entrepreneur, and arts educator. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, complemented by an Executive MBA for Arts Innovation from The Global Leaders Institute, where she was selected as one of just 60 global arts leaders from around the world to receive a prestigious global fellowship. 

Leadership and Impact at Tapology, Inc.

Recently appointed as Acting CEO, Ms. Bradley now leads Tapology, Inc., serving simultaneously as Acting CEO and Artistic Director. In these dual capacities, she has initiated significant projects to preserve the history of tap dance and promote arts education through performances and outreach efforts. Her role as a Teaching Artist for Tapology outreach programming has allowed her to collaborate with a dedicated team, delivering impactful programming to a wide range of audiences. 

On a national scale, Ms. Bradley served as the Learning and Development Facilitator for the REACH (Race, Equity, Arts and Cultural History) initiative, a federally funded national arts integration grant awarded $8.5 million by the Department of Education. In this role, she oversaw all professional development activities and curriculum development, demonstrating her pivotal leadership as both creative visionary and manager of the grant. She recruited and coordinated over 40+ teaching artists and 250 K–12 educators across 50+ Title I schools nationwide. Her responsibilities included assessing training needs to ensure alignment with grant objectives, organizing educational programs, and leading the development of a comprehensive e-learning platform, efforts that underscored the critical importance of her guidance in shaping the grant’s success.

Experience and Expertise

Ms. Bradley’s expertise encompasses work with renowned institutions such as the University of South Florida’s Center for Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching, New College of Florida, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company, and The University of Michigan-Flint’s Theater and Dance Department. Her experience managing nationally funded grants highlights her commitment to fostering equitable learning and deepening cultural understanding on a broad scale.

Advocacy and Artistic Practice

A testament to her dedication, Ms. Bradley is recognized for using the arts as a vehicle for social change. This is particularly evident in her acclaimed series, "Womanhood or Woman’s-Hurt: The Art of Healing," and her advocacy for survivors of sexual violence at the United Nations Conference. Her ongoing passion for encouraging creativity and delivering meaningful arts education reflects her pursuit of excellence across artistic, educational, and administrative spheres. Through her versatile skills, leadership, and commitment to building partnerships, Ms. Bradley-Vilier stands as a leading figure in visual and performing arts, education, administration, and curatorial practice.

Professional Affiliations and Artistic Recognition

Ms. Bradley also brings valuable experience from her involvement with the Mural Arts Program and her work as Exhibition Coordinator at The African American Museum in Philadelphia. Her artwork has appeared in prestigious publications such as Ghubar Magazine (Paris, France), The Guardian, Black Art in America, and in exhibitions both nationally and internationally.

Teaching and Educational Outreach

Ms. Bradley teaching portfolio spans various academic institutions and organizations, including Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, New College of Florida, The University of Michigan-Flint’s Theater and Dance Department, The American Tap Dance Foundation, The Brooklyn Waldorf School, Mark Morris Dance Group, Black Girls Rock!: Year-Round Program, Black Girls Rock! Queen’s Camp of Leadership and Excellence, Carol Morgan School of Santo Domingo, Dunyah Zaidam Dance School of Brazil, Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performing Arts (SXM), Sister Magda Primary School (SXM), St. Maarten Montessori, Art Saves Lives Foundation, and the National Institute of Arts (SXM).