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Meet the Federal Advocacy State & District Captains 2024
Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund has reimagined its Federal Advocacy Captains Program to now include both State and District captains. Federal Advocacy State Captains will be specifically tapped with the goal of primarily impacting federal advocacy efforts across all U.S. Senate offices. There will also be a corresponding Federal Advocacy District Captains Program represented by local arts leaders, who will help us impact federal advocacy efforts across a few dozen highly targeted U.S. House offices. These targeted districts would likely be represented by those House Members, who sit on a key congressional committee or serve an important congressional leadership role.
Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund will bring all Federal Advocacy State and District Captains together for collaborative joint Zoom meetings monthly to coordinate efforts and messaging.
Who are Federal Advocacy State and District Captains?
Federal Advocacy Captains are at the intersection of federal arts advocacy in America. They are individuals, who represent arts and culture organizations at the state and/or local levels with a mission to advance the arts. They understand that advancing arts policies and legislation at the federal level will have a direct impact on the arts and culture organizations within their jurisdiction. They are the connectors between the grassroots and a unified federal advocacy program produced in collaboration with Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund. We encourage all Federal Advocacy State and District captains to serve as the eyes and ears on the ground for the arts advocacy field to identify new policy considerations (both positive and negative) and then share these with the collective network so that others, including Americans for the Arts’ Government Affairs and Arts Action Fund Staff, can be aware of programs emerging from all corners of the country, which could affect the arts field. This also allows us all to stay informed of what’s happening in Congressional members’ home states and districts, especially for our best congressional leaders, so they can stay up to date on big arts policy developments at the local level.
Alabama
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Donna Russell, Executive Director of the Alabama Arts Alliance
Alabama Federal Advocacy State Captain
Donna Russell is Executive Director of the Alabama Arts Alliance, a non profit 501 (c)(3) organization that works with teachers and students all over the state. The Alabama Arts Alliance is the Arts Advocacy organization for the State of Alabama. Russell’s duties include overseeing office and programming staff, organizing summer workshops and Advocacy Conference activities, keeping up with current trends in arts education, and supporting programs, policies and practices that ensure that all Alabamians can discover and develop their talents, have access to a comprehensive arts education and have enough knowledge of the arts to understand the cultural heritage of others.
Russell serves on the Executive Leadership Team of the Alabama Artistic Literacy Consortium– a Collective Impact Model Arts Education Initiative that is a partnership between the Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. A blue ribbon task force that was established and developed a plan that will include strategies for initializing implementation, sustaining support, and broadening the base of participation by numerous partners. The team consists of a diverse group of educators, artists, community arts leaders, business leaders, and public officials from all parts of the state.
Other Statewide Activities: Russell has been appointed by the governor to serve on the Arts Education Course of Study task force, and the Arts Education Advisory Committee for the Arts License Tag Fund, is Immediate Past President of Alabama PTA, former Alabama PTA VP of Leadership Development, and is a Past Cultural Arts Chair for Alabama PTA.
Alaska
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Benjamin Brown, Chair, Alaska State Council on the Arts
Alaska Federal Advocacy State Captain
Ben is a lifelong Alaskan who currently serves as an Assistant Municipal Attorney with the City & Borough of Juneau Law Department. He was admitted to the Alaska Bar Association in 2002. Brown is a company member at Perseverance Theatre, has performed across the Last Frontier and was Perseverance’s Development Director from July of 2019 until January 2022. He previously served as a member of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, and was an attorney in private practice for many years before that appointment. Brown has served as Chairman of the Alaska State Council on the Arts since 2007. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and is Chairman of Women & Children’s Health Associates (a nonprofit that provides scholarships to young Kenyans pursuing education in medical fields). Brown received his diploma from Palmer High School, bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and juris doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.
When he isn't busy lawyering, you can find him spending time with his pet pigs!
Arizona
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Patrick McWhorter, CEO of Arizona Citizens for the Arts
Arizona Federal Advocacy State Captain
Patrick McWhortor, joined Arizona Citizens for the Arts in 2022 with a background in nonprofit leadership, advocacy and support for the arts. Patrick spent years as an advocate for environmental, education and nonprofit causes at the Arizona State Legislature. He was the founder and President/CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits for ten years. Patrick has led several organizations in an interim capacity. And he has served on many nonprofit boards of directors. An Arizonan for more than four decades, Patrick and his wife Ronda, a public school educator, have raised three young men in Arizona and can be found every weekend at arts event, on the hiking trails and traveling in and outside of Arizona.
Arkansas
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Hana Mariah Hatta, Executive Director of Arkansans for the Arts
Arkansas Federal Advocacy State Captain
Hana Mariah Hatta, Executive Director of Arkansans for the Arts, has comprehensive experience in relationship building, public affairs and communications. She has worked with and for nonprofit organizations in the government and on campaigns from school board to President of the United States.
With years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, event production, and political campaigns - including eight presidential cycles, Mariah is a proven professional.
Mariah is active in her community and has in recent years focused more on her passion for art and arts education. In addition she has added artist, handbuilt ceramics, to her list of art advocacy experience. Preventing gun violence and implementing gun sense public policy are personal to Mariah, who is a gun violence survivor.
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District: Rep. Steve Womack AR-03-R |
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Kelsey Howard, Program Director, Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange
Arkansas Advocacy District Captain
Kelsey Howard is a world traveler at heart who’s grateful to call Siloam Springs, AR home. After teaching English in South Korea, Kelsey received the Rotary District 6110 Ralph R. Kirchner Award, which funded her graduate studies in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London) with a specialization in British architecture.
She has worked at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, John Brown University in Siloam Springs as an adjunct professor teaching Art History and was most recently the Executive Director of Main Street Siloam Springs. In the last several years, she’s had the privilege to combine her love of public art with enhancing historic downtown spaces; she was honored with the Main Street Arkansas Outstanding Director award of 2018-2019. Kelsey currently sits on the governor-appointed Arkansas Historic Preservation Review Committee to protect our state’s historic buildings.
California
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Julie Baker, CEO of Californians for the Arts
California Federal Advocacy State Captain
As CEO of California’s statewide arts advocacy organizations since 2018, Julie has worked to increase the legislative clout and visibility of the arts and culture communities by building coalition across the for and non-profit sectors of California’s creative industries, producing a month long arts awareness and advocacy campaign every April, and fighting for resources and legislation to serve and protect artists and cultural workers. She serves as the California State Captain to Americans for the Arts' National Arts Action Summit and on the State Arts Action Network Council and as the co-chair of the Western Arts Advocacy network for WESTAF. She is on the board of California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project, a founding member of the Nevada County Relief Fund advisory council and was elected to the Nevada County school board in November of 2020.
Over the years, Julie has owned a fine arts gallery for emerging artists, co-founded Flow art fair — a satellite to Art Basel Miami Beach — opened a consulting firm Julie Baker Projects and curated an annual music series at the Crocker Art Museum. Earlier in her career she was President of her family’s arts marketing firm in New York City and worked at Christie’s Auction house before moving to California in 1998. Julie also served for eight years as the Executive Director of The Center for the Arts, a non-profit performing arts venue and California WorldFest, an annual music and camping festival located in Grass Valley, CA. She is the recipient of the inaugural Peggy Levine Arts & Community Service Award from the Nevada County Arts Council. And the 2021 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award from Americans for the Arts, which honors an individual at the state level whose arts advocacy efforts have dramatically affected the political landscape.
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District: Rep. Peter Aguilar CA-33-D |
Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez, Executive Director, Arts Connection San Bernardino
California Advocacy District Captain
Currently residing in the city of San Bernardino, Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez is a strategic leader, social entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for the arts. Born and raised in San Bernardino County, Alejandro’s journey has taken him from acquiring a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, San Bernardino, to roles such as a 6th grade math teacher for Duval County Schools, Research and Evaluation Analyst at First 5 San Bernardino, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Impact at El Sol to co-founding the nonprofit youth initiative, Lifting Our Stories.
Recognized as one of the area’s 30 Most Influential Leaders Under 30, Alejandro is a first-generation Chicano and former educator. His deep belief in art as a catalyst for change and a platform for amplifying voices fuels his work.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Alejandro is an outdoor enthusiast, constantly seeking to explore and appreciate the natural world. Whether in his work or his personal life, Alejandro’s mission is to inspire, innovate, and provide the tools for others to fulfill their highest potential.
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District: Rep. Ken Calvert R-CA-41
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Omar Columbus, Poetic Theater Productions’ Veteran Voices Board, Riverside, CA
California Advocacy District Captain
Omar is a photographer, poet, curator, advocate, and an Air Force veteran. A native of Washington, North Carolina, he enlisted after high school and served for 12 years on active duty. An Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veteran seeking healing and comfort from post-traumatic stress, his poetry and photography became his creative outlets. Omar has always believed that events in his life have been compelling. He is now learning to work through his trauma creatively, and talk about those things and heal through his art, storytelling, and advocacy.
A Brooklyn College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Art, Omar has written and performed with Poetic Theater Productions since 2019. Omar has also read his poetry at the Geraldine Dodge Poetry Festival, the New York City Poetry Festival, at the New-York Historical Society, and a collaboration with Exit12 Dance Company for a performance on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum.
Omar was interviewed and photographed for a street fashion editorial for “Cool America Magazine” in Summer 2019. Omar’s photography has been featured in various group exhibitions at the legendary Salmagundi Club in New York, and he was offered the opportunity to curate a show of veteran artists from across the nation, representing all branches of the military. “From There to Here: Military Veterans’ Experiences” opened in Manhattan in February 2020, and has melded Columbus’ passion for art with his continued passion for helping fellow veterans. @omarcphotography
Colorado
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Meredith Badler, Deputy Director, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA)
Colorado Federal Advocacy State Captain
Meredith Badler is the Deputy Director at Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA). She enjoys making a positive impact in Colorado through creativity and community partnerships every single day. Meredith oversees all of CBCA’s programs, major events, research and trainings. Meredith also stewards CBCA’s grassroots and direct advocacy for the arts and creative industries at the state and federal level. She is regularly asked to present on the creative economy, arts advocacy and arts/business partnerships. Prior to CBCA, Meredith worked as a strategy consultant for the nonprofit and public sector at Corona Insights and in patron services for Curious Theatre Company. Meredith serves on the Board for Art Students League of Denver and the Advisory Board for the Golda Meir House Museum on Auraria Campus. She has a background in theatre and still performs improv comedy.
Connecticut
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Adrienne Jefferson, Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism
Connecticut Advocacy District Captain
Adriane V. Jefferson (She/Her/Hers) is a Nationally award-winning Cultural Equity expert, Arts Administrator, and Public Speaker. Initiator of the Cultural Equity Plan in the City of New Haven, she has worked professionally in the Arts & Culture sector for over 18 years, and has dedicated her career to cultural shift advocacy.
Adriane Jefferson is currently the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of New Haven and the Executive Director of New Haven Festivals Inc. in Connecticut, where she leads the city on cultural equity and anti-racism initiatives. Adriane and her department have created the Arts for Anti-racism Pledge, The Unapologetically Radical Conference, the City of New Haven’s inaugural Black Wall Street festival, and the first Cultural Equity Plan in the State of Connecticut.
As part of her work with the City of New Haven, Adriane oversees the City’s membership in the Government Alliance of Race & Equity and has formed the Core Race Equity Task Force. The Task Force plays an advisory and leadership role to the Mayor and Executive Leadership on internal and external race equity issues and equitable system improvements. Adriane is also a member of the Closing Gaps Network, Living Cities Initiative, which provides ongoing leadership training on community organizing, anti-racism principles, equity assessments and capacity building.
Developing much of her professional career in Miami, Florida from 2004 to 2015, Adriane has worked in arts education as an educator in both music and theater. Between 2008 and 2010, she helped to develop the drama program for Alonzo Mourning Charities’ Over Town Youth Center and The Gibson Charter School. Adriane returned to The State of CT in 2015 to serve as the Executive Director and Senior Director of programs for the Writers Block Ink in New London, CT. She was later confirmed as a member of their Board of Directors. In 2016, she became an Arts Program Manager for the State of CT, Department of Economic and Community Development/Office of the Arts. In this role, she developed groundbreaking programs for the State of CT such as The Arts Workforce Initiative paid Employment Program and the READI (Relevance, Equity, Access, Diversity and Inclusion) Music conference, which has placed hundreds of young creative workers of color in arts jobs and professional development opportunities across the state.
Alongside her work as a cultural equity expert, Adriane currently serves as a councilwoman for The State of Connecticut Arts Council, an Advisory Board Member for the New England Foundation for the Arts, an Advisory Board Member for the Yale Center of British Art, and as an Ex-officio Board Member for the Shubert Theater. She has received the 40 under 40 award from the Urban Professional Network, the American Express Emerging Leadership Award from Americans from the Arts, and the 40 Under 40 award from CT magazine. Her anti-racism artwork has been featured in Black Business Enterprise, yahoo news, Fox News, NBC and Americans for the Arts, Art Link publication. New Haven Biz recently named her as one of the Top 5 leaders to watch in 2023. She is mother of one, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Delaware
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Neil Kirschling, Executive Director, Delaware Arts Alliance
Delaware Advocacy State Captain
A Neil oversees all aspects of managing the statewide nonprofit organization and developing sector wide strategies to advance arts and culture. Neil joined Delaware Arts Alliance (DAA) from Rodel, a nonprofit that partners with Delawareans to transform public education in the First State. Neil previously served as a legislative fellow in the General Assembly, conducted research for the Institute for Public Administration, and participated in the Delaware Department of Education's " Future Education Policy Leaders Program.
Neil volunteers and performs with various local theaters and supports arts and cultural organizations throughout the state. Neil received a gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Hispanic COmmission, where he leads education and advocacy efforts in support of Hispanic youth and English learner students. He also serves as an advisor for the Delaware Community Foundation's Youth Philanthropy board.
florida
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District: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz FL-25-D |
Phillip Dunlap, Director, Broward County Arts Division
Florida Advocacy District Captain
Phil is responsible for leading the county's arts and culture development strategy and the agency with an annual budget of approximately $10 million. Since assuming leadership of the Division in 2019, he has focused on strategic growth and innovative programs, growing the Division's budget by more than 30% in under four years, implementing a complete overhaul of grantmaking programs to provvide a more transparent, equitable, and fair process distributing funds; and the creation of IGNITE Broward, the Division's award winning event, in partnership with Mad Arts.
Prior to moving to South Florida in May 2019, he served as Director of Education and Community Engagement for Jazz St. In 2018, he was recognized by the Missouri House of Representatives for his service in the arts in Missouri. He has served as a Cultural Envoy for the US Department of State and has taught and performed in Afghanistan, Guyana, and Thailand. He holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
idaho
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District: Rep. Mike Simpson ID-02-R |
Jennifer Stevens, Director, Department of Arts and History
Idaho Advocacy District Captain
Jennifer joined the Department of Arts & History as its director in September 2022. As a critical public-facing agency with a responsibility to reach both new and existing residents through an artistic and interpretive celebration of Boise's diverse and rich heritage, Jennifer looks forward to working with the team and the cultural community to find even greater opportunities for meaningful connections to Boise residents and visitors.
Jennifer is the founder and served as principal historian at Stevens Historical Research Associates (SHRA), a consulting firm located in Boise, Idaho, for 20 years. She has done extensive research and writing on the history of Boise, including immigration and environmental history. She has over 25 years of experience providing historical research consulting to a wide range of clients. Her work involves archival research in repositories around the country, including the National Archives, state and municipal archives, and corporate and private collections.
In addition to her consulting work, Jennifer is a Professor of Practice in the History and Urban Studies Departments at Boise State University. Her civic involvement includes five years as a member and two years as chair of Boise's Planning and Zoning COmmission, and five years as a member and three as chair of Boise's Historic Preservation Commission. Jennifer holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Davis, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Missouri
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Branden Haralson, Senior Manager of Public Policy and Government Relations, ArtsKC
Missouri Advocacy District Captain
Branden is the Senior Manager of Public Policy and Government Relations and joined the team in November 2019. Branden has served on a number of area boards including the Kansas City Human Rights Campaign, Kansas City Center for Inclusion, AdHoc Group Against Crime, and the Midwest Innocence Project.
Branden is committee to leveling the playing field for all LGBT+ Americans.
Montana
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Rep. Ryan Zinke MT-01-R
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Heather Adams, Executive Director, Arts Missoula
Montana Advocacy District Captain
Heather is the Executive Director of Arts Missoula and is a classically trained dancer. She became the Executive Director of Arts Missoula in 2022. For years, Heather has been immersing herself in the local arts scene. Heather found herself directing and choreographing musical theater productions both locally and regionally.
Her dedication to giving back to the community has led her her to volunteer and produce non-profit fundraisers, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the arts at all levels. Her extensive involvement in the arts has led her to become as essential figure in Missoula's artistic landscape. As a testament to her impact, she currently serves on the University of Montana College of Arts and Media Advisory Council, contributing insights to shape the future of arts education and collaboration at the collegiate level.
Oklahoma
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Rep. Tom Cole OK-04-R
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Erinn Gavaghan, Executive Director, Norman Arts Council
Oklahoma Advocacy District Captain
Erinn Gavaghan is an art historian and arts administrator and has served as the Executive Director of the Norman Arts Council (NAC) since August 2010. In May of 2010 she graduated from Webster University in St. Louis with an MA in Art History. She specializes in sixteenth and seventeenth century European art and architecture as well as socially engaged contemporary art. In addition to her work with the NAC, she is an adjunct professor of Art History at Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Community College and has also taught Art History at the University of Oklahoma.
Erinn is an active volunteer in central Oklahoma arts community and currently serves on the board of directors for the Cultural Development Corporation of Central Oklahoma, the Norman Public Arts Board, and the Norman Downtowners Association. She works with state and local governments and arts agencies to advise and advocate on issues related to artists, arts organizations, and public funding to the arts.
New York
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Rep. Elise Stefanik NY-21-R
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Naj Wikoff, Aesthetics, Inc.
New York Advocacy District Captain
Naj has extensive experience using the arts in clinical care, medical education, and public health and using design, graphics, and art collections to create welcoming environments. For over twenty years, Naj has worked with youth at risk and used the arts to help reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by teens. Naj has led arts and medical humanities programs in medical education and has developed and led arts programs in hospital settings, programs designed for patients and staff -- to help reduce burnout and job-related stress. In addition, Naj is a founding board member of the National Organization for Arts in Health, where he served on the Executive, Advocacy, and Governance Committees, an adjunct faculty at Lesley University, and a founding member of its institute for Arts in Health, and a founding member of the National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military.
Currently, Naj is a consultant and marketing director with Aesthetics, Inc. This firm uses art and design to assist hospitals and other institutions across North America and beyond to create uplifting and engaging spaces that reflect the character, culture, and people they serve. As part of this work, Aesthetics has developed an award-winning, evidence based-line of services to reduce burnout by ER staff, frontline workers, and others in high-stress occupations. Naj was the Director of Healing & the Arts at the C. Everett Kopp Institute, Dartmouth Medical School, served for six years as the President of the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, Director of Arts & Productions at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, NYC, Executive Director of the Duchess County Arts Council, and President of the National Fine Arts Committee of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY.
Naj is a professional painter/sculptor, based in Keene Valley, NY
texas
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Rep. Kay Granger TX-12-R
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Wesley Gentle, Executive Director, Arts Fort Worth
Texas Advocacy District Captain
Wesley serves as the Executive Director and President for Arts Forth Worth (formerly the Arts Council of Fort Worth), where he leads the team responsible for the nonprofit organization's arts grants, public art services, management of the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, and arts advocacy efforts. He previously spearheaded advancement for Arts Fort Worth, and he has held fundraising positions at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Worth Opera. He also works throughout the Metroplex as a classically trained singer, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Texas Christian University and a Master of Music degree in opera performance from the Boston Conservatory. Gentle is immediate past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fort Worth Metro Chapter and a board member with Texans for the Arts, and an active member of the Rotary Club of Forth Worth.
washington
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Karen Hanan, Executive Director, ArtsWA
Washington Advocacy District Captain
Karen Hanan is a senior executive with 25 years of successful leadership with state and regional arts organizations. She was appointed Director of Arts WA by Governor Jay Inslee in 2014. Karen's focus is growing the organization's capacity and services to positively impact the arts, and Washington's creative economy.
Previously, she was Director of Arts Northwest, the regional service organization for performing arts. Before that, she founded and directed the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts. She is a respected member of several industry organizations and board of directors.
This page is continuously being edited and added to as our program grows!