Americans for the Arts today announced 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.

Incoming advisory council members serve a two-year term, from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Six members were re-elected. Potential council members were nominated in September and voted on by members of Americans for the Arts through November 15, 2019.

“Americans for the Arts strives to cultivate the next generation of arts leaders in America, and I am pleased to welcome 23 new and re-elected members to our advisory councils,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “These leaders are willing to dedicate their time and expertise to work with peers across the country to shape national programs and messages and help craft services for states, communities, and local organizations. I applaud them for their valued contribution and commitment that will undoubtedly improve the state of arts in America.”

New and Re-elected Advisory Council Members

Arts Education Council members 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.

• Quanice Floyd, Executive Director, Arts Education in Maryland Schools
• Jenna Gabriel, Independent Consultant, Arts and Special Education
• Michael Jones, Executive and Artistic Director, Professional Theatre and Dance Youth Academy
• Ahava Silkey-Jones, Executive Director, DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science (re-elected)
• Dr. Nathan Street, Director of Fine Arts, Guilford County Schools

Emerging Leaders Council members will assist in developing programs and resources to promote professional development and networking opportunities for emerging arts professionals nationwide.

• Yetunde Janski-Ogunfidodo, Equity Facilitator and Creative Consultant
• Laura Elizabeth Guerrero Nieto, Senior Grants and Professional Development Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
• Dara Phyllis Silver, Vice President of Grant Programs and Partner Relations, The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County (re-elected)
• Sydney Steen, Creative Economies Coordinator, North Carolina Arts Council

Private Sector Council members will develop and implement private-sector advocacy programs and serve as leaders to other local arts agencies seeking to connect with the private sector.

• Michael Barin, Director, Digital Strategy, SpotCo
• Scott Whiteley Carter, Public Affairs and Creative Economy Advisor, City of Little Rock
• Toni L. Freeman, Consultant
• David Holland, Director of Public Policy, WESTAF
• Diana Lind, Executive Director, Arts + Business Council
• Kate Marquez, Executive Director, Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (re-elected)
• Jennifer McEwen, Director of Cultural Affairs, Office of Cultural Affairs Town of Hilton Head
• Lisa M. Scails, Executive Director, Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (re-elected)
• Elizabeth P. Yerxa, Executive Director, Triangle ArtWorks (re-elected)

Public Art Network Council members 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.

• Miranda Kyle, Chief Curator of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine and Program Manager of Arts and Culture, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
• Michele Laflamme-Childs, Public Art Program Director, New Mexico Arts
• Julia Muney Moore, Director of Public Art, Arts Council of Indianapolis (re-elected)
• Kelly Pajek, Public Art Director, 4Culture
• Elayna Toby Singer, Administrator, Palm Beach County Art in Public Places

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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