Americans for the Arts Welcomes New and Re-Elected Advisory Council Members

Friday, December 15, 2017

Americans for the Arts today announced 26 new and re-elected advisory council members for each of their four networks: Arts Education, Emerging Leaders, Private Sector, and Public Art Network. These individuals will advise Americans for the Arts’ staff on developing programs and services that will build a deeper connection to the field and the network membership. 
 
Potential council members were nominated in mid-September and were voted on by members of Americans for the Arts through November 14, 2017. Incoming advisory council members serve a three-year term, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Eight members were re-elected. 
 
“Americans for the Arts strives to cultivate the next generation of arts leaders in America, and I am pleased to welcome 26 new and re-elected members to our advisory council,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “I am grateful for their willingness to dedicate their time and expertise to shape national programs and help craft services for states, communities, and local organizations that will advance the arts and arts education nationwide.”
 
The new and re-elected advisory council members are:
 
In the Arts Education Council, who will work with fellow arts leaders to advise Americans for the Arts’ staff on trends in the field to create programs and services that will build a deeper connection to the field and the Arts Education Network. Council members are involved in visibility campaigns like National Arts in Education Week, the development of tools and resources, and conduct peer-to-peer learning:
  • Erika Atkins, Director of Operations and Communications, Opening Act
  • Rhoda Jeanne Bernard, Managing Director, Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs, Berklee College of Music
  • Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwell, Education Specialist, National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Ashraf Hasham, Program Manager, Advocacy & Engagement, Urban Gateways
  • Lauren Hess, Executive Director, Cincinnati Children’s Choir (re-elected)
In the Emerging Leaders Council, who will assist in developing programs and resources to promote professional development and networking opportunities for emerging arts professionals nationwide:
  • Bryan Joseph Lee, Associate Director of Special Artistic Projects, The Public Theater
  • Manuel Prieto, Executive Director, Los Angeles Music and Art School
  • Aileen Alon, Director of Arts & Creative Industry, Opa-locka Community Development Corporation (re-elected)
  • Hilary Amnah, Arts Program Specialist, California Arts Council (re-elected)
  • Elisheba Johnson, Public Art Project Manager, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (re-elected)
In the Private Sector Council, who will develop and implement private-sector advocacy programs and serve as leaders to other local arts agencies seeking to connect with the private sector:
  • Beau K. Basse, Director, LeBasse Projects
  • Kim Chestney, Director, Creative Industries Acceleration, Pittsburgh Technology Council
  • Jonathon Glus, Director, Cultural and Creative Economy, City of Sacramento
  • Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Chicago
  • Jill McMillan, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville
  • Christen Boone, President & CEO, Fund for the Arts (re-elected)
  • Dan Bowers, President, ArtsBuild (re-elected)
  • Mary Eileen Fouratt, Program Officer, Accessibility Coordinator, New Jersey State Council on the Arts (re-elected)
  • Susan Soroko, Director, Creative Economy, Arlington Economic Development (re-elected)
In the Public Art Network Council, who will advise on annual programming, choose the Public Art Network award recipient, and offer diverse perspectives and voices on public art and public art programs:
  • Amina K. Cooper, Manager of Public Art, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County
  • Carrie Geraci, Director, Jackson Hole Public Art
  • Clare Haggarty, Deputy Director of Collections, Los Angeles County Arts Commission
  • Tracie Hall, Director, Culture Program, Joyce Foundation
  • Jim Hirschfield, Artist/Professor of Art, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Kipp Hiro Kobayashi, Artist
  • Mandy Vink, Public Art and Creative Neighborhoods Administrator, City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture 
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
 
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