Art Chowder May | June, Issue 27 | Page 54

Emma Noyes Drum roll, please! SPOKANE ARTS IS DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE THE SEVEN NEW MEMBERS OF THE SPOKANE ARTS COMMISSION T he arts commission is a 16-member board of volunteer artists and arts advocates. Together, they advise the city of Spokane on art policy, advocate for arts and culture in the city and region, and serve as an advisory board to Spokane Arts, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Melissa Huggins SPOKANE ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR At the end of 2019, five art commissioners rotated off the board after serving two full terms (six years in total)! The group included Jim Kolva, Karli Ingersoll, Dean Davis, Melissa Parker, and Beka Wilkins-Pepiton. We couldn’t be more grateful for everything they have done, individually and collectively, to serve and advocate for arts and culture in our city. We also said farewell to two other wonderful commissioners, Alan Chatham and Denny Carman, both of whom are involved in many community-focused efforts. We adore all of our former commissioners and look forward to collaborating with them for years to come. When spots open on the arts commission, the city and Spokane Arts host an open call for interested community members to apply. A committee of current art commissioners interviews applicants, and passes their recommendations to the mayor’s office. The mayor reviews the applicants, interviews them, and if approved, passes their applications on to the City Council, who hold a second set of interviews. Once the City Council completes interviews; they vote on the applicants at a public meeting. It is quite the process, and we’re grateful to these incredible volunteers for signing up. 54 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE