Duygu Gün is a Turkish-American arts professional, creative producer, musician, artist, and curator based in San Francisco since 2012, and a Mission district resident since 2016.

As an arts professional, she is passionate about generating funds for the local arts scene. She recently joined Gray Area to lead the corporate partnerships and development programs after leading corporate fundraising at SFJAZZ and San Francisco Opera.

Duygu is passionate about preserving folk culture and fostering intercultural connections through the universal language of music and arts that transcends borders. In 2019, she received a Curatorial Residency at SOMArts to curate the ‘Sounds Like Home: Longing and Comfort Through Lullabies’ exhibition that delved into the emotional and cultural significance of lullabies, transcending linguistic and geographical boundaries.

In 2022, she co-founded Anatolian Arts Institute to build bridges among the Anatolian diaspora in the US and introduce Anatolian Arts and Culture through participatory workshops, performances, research, and educational activities celebrating the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the region. She received an SFAC Artist Grant in 2023 for the ‘Balkancisco’ documentary about the vibrant Balkan Music Scene in the Bay Area as the creative producer, writer, and narrator.

She performs with her guitar-accordion duo, Nakarat, covering Mediterranean folk songs in Turkish, Ladino, Greek, Griko, and Italian around the Bay Area. Nakarat’s performances serve as a celebration of cultural diversity and a testament to the power of music to unite people across borders. Besides performing, she also books local artists and booked for Bar Fluxus, Madrone Art Bar, Mission Arts Performance Project, and launched Sports Basement Music Series.

In recognition of her cultural and artistic achievements, Duygu was awarded the TOYP – Turkey’s 10 Outstanding Young Persons’ Cultural Achievement in 2022, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the arts community.