Category

Staff

Anika Kiwinana

WESTAF Welcomes New Director of Social Responsibility and Inclusion Anika Kwinana

By Staff, WESTAF News
Anika Kwinana will join WESTAF in early April 2021 as director of social responsibility and inclusion, to inform and develop a range of equity-centered learning experiences that connect and inspire leaders and communities to build a more inclusive arts and culture sector. Anika joins WESTAF from her position as manager of national education initiatives at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she has worked since 2018. There, Anika ensured that arts professionals were equipped with relevant professional learning and support as they sought to provide equitable access to the arts among public school students. This work...
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David Holland

David Holland Assumes Expanded Role as Director of Impact and Public Policy

By Staff, WESTAF News
We are delighted to announce that David Holland, WESTAF’s director of public policy, will be assuming a more expansive role at WESTAF, under the newly revised title of director of impact and public policy. In addition to his current portfolio leading WESTAF’s Alliances, Advocacy and Public Policy (AAP) division and serving as an advisor to the Creative Vitality™ Suite team, he will also be responsible for the design, development, resourcing, implementation and maintenance of the complete WESTAF program portfolio, which includes both the AAP and Social Responsibility and Inclusion (SRI) divisions. These responsibilities include the leadership of new programs and...
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Christian Gaines

WESTAF Executive Director Christian Gaines Elected to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies’ 2021 Board of Directors

By Staff, WESTAF News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Leah Horn 303.629.1166 leah.horn@westaf.org Denver, CO, November 13, 2020—The Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) is pleased to announce the election of Christian Gaines to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) board of directors. As a member of NASAA’s board of directors, Gaines will serve alongside a diverse and accomplished group of arts and cultural leaders from across the country. "We enthusiastically welcome Christian to the NASAA board," said NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux. "He brings a breadth of knowledge, a fierce commitment to serving the public, and genuine passion for the arts. We...
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WESTAF Update Notes #105 | September 2019

By News, Newsletter, Staff, Updates, ZAPP

This is the 105th in a continuing series of updates about the work of WESTAF.   2019 Emerging Leaders of Color Program  WESTAF’s ninth Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) program will take place October 7-9 in Denver. WESTAF will host 15 ELC alumni for this year’s convening. Alumni participants include: Christy NaMee Eriksen (Alaska), Yvonne Montoya (Arizona), Abraham Flores (California), Laili Gohartaj (California), Mariana Moscoso (California), Alexandria Jimenez (Colorado), Julz Bolinayen Ignacio (Washington/Hawai‘i), Anastacio Del Real (Nevada), Michelle Patrick (Nevada), Sandra Margarita Ward (Nevada), Gabrielle Uballez (New Mexico), Candace Kita (Oregon), Humberto Marquez Mendez (Oregon), Renato Olmedo-González (Utah), and Moana…

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Director of Public Policy

By News, Policy, Staff, Updates
WESTAF Welcomes David Holland as Director of Public Policy David Holland will join WESTAF later in August 2019 as director of public policy, a new role that will guide WESTAF’s public policy and arts advocacy programs and services. Holland previously served as associate director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, a chapter of Americans for the Arts. Prior roles include management positions with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) da Vinci Center for Innovation, VCU School of the Arts, Arts & Business, and the UK innovation think tank Nesta. Holland began his career with BOP Consulting, a global consulting firm...
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WESTAF Update Notes #104 | July 2019

By Newsletter, Staff, Updates, ZAPP

This is the 104th in a continuing series of updates about the work of WESTAF.   Update on Alaska State Council on the Arts Many of you are aware of the situation in Alaska. For those who have not been tracking the issue, on Friday, June 28, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy cut $444 million from Alaska’s state operating budget, slashing services in addition to the cuts already made by the Alaska Legislature—an action that effectively eliminated the Alaska State Council on the Arts. Absent of state sales or income tax, funding for public services in Alaska is derived from oil…

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New Executive Director Selected

By News, Staff
Christian Gaines Named New Executive Director of WESTAF   DENVER, CO — The WESTAF trustees are pleased to announce that Christian Gaines has been selected to serve as the organization’s new executive director. Gaines was hired following a national search that was initiated in May, 2018. He will move to Denver and begin work at the organization in mid January, 2019. WESTAF is a nonprofit organization that weaves together technology, thought leadership, and innovation to energize, network, and grow funding for public sector arts agencies. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, it is one of six regional arts organizations in the United...
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Update Notes #94 | September 2017

By Advocacy, CaFE, Convenings, CVSuite, Newsletter, Staff, Technology, Updates
WESTAF Update Notes #94 | September 2017 From Anthony Radich, Executive Director This is the 94th in a continuing series of updates about the work of WESTAF. WESTAF Executive Director Anthony Radich Elected to Technology Oversight Group WESTAF Executive Director Anthony Radich has been elected to serve as a member of the CollectionSpace leadership working group. CollectionSpace is a free, open-source collections management application used by museums, historical societies, biological collections, and other collections-holding organizations. The leadership working group reviews and prioritizes software development, technical infrastructure, and user support roadmaps to help CollectionSpace meet the diverse needs of a wide...
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Update Notes #92 | May 2017

By Advocacy, Articles, GO, News, Newsletter, SAAs, Staff, Technology, Updates, ZAPP
WESTAF Update Notes #92 | May 2017 From Anthony Radich, Executive Director This is the 92nd in a continuing series of updates about the work of WESTAF Advocacy Efforts to Support the National Endowment for the Arts WESTAF has expanded its advocacy work on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts. Recently, three contractors were hired to focus exclusively on this project and to work closely with our regional network of advocates. Yvonne Montoya, director of Safos Dance Theatre in Tucson, is activating our Emerging Leaders of Color (ELC) network; Craig Watson, the immediate past Director of the California...
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Update Notes #75 | April 2013

By Convenings, Events, Newsletter, SAAs, Staff, Tech, Updates, ZAPP
WESTAF Update Notes #75 | April 2013 From Anthony Radich, Executive Director This is the 75th in a continuing series of updates about the work of WESTAF ZAPP Announces New Enhancements and 2013 Arts Festival Conference Location In March, the ZAPP® system launched a series of significant enhancements for both artists and festival administrator users. The improved artist interface employs a sleeker, modern look and convenient ways to interact with the art festival community. Artists also enjoy smarter ways to locate and easily apply to shows, including a searchable calendar, improved keyword search, and the ability to mark shows as...
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