City of Seattle Seattle City Council

Seattle Reappoints Arts Commissioners
Continued strong leadership benefits City's arts community

SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels and the City Council today announced reappointments to the Seattle Arts Commission, the 15-member citizen advisory group for the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. The two-year term appointments are shared by the Mayor's Office and the City Council, with a final appointment named by the commission itself.

Commission members include leaders in the business and educational community, artists, arts professionals, and residents with diverse backgrounds and strong links to Seattle's cultural sector.

The Mayor has re-appointed Mark Charles Paben, Deborah Semer, Tom Skerritt and Donald Byrd.

The Council has re-appointed Brian Grant, Catherine Hillenbrand, James Keblas and Cathryn Vandenbrink.

The full commission consists of:

Michael D. Alhadeff, community leader and philanthropist
Richard Andrews, director, Henry Art Gallery
Donald Byrd, choreographer,artistic director, Spectrum Dance Theatre
Diem Chau, visual artist
Maureen Christoffel, scenic artist and president, IATSE Local 488
Ricardo Frazer, co-owner of Rhyme Cartel Records
Brian Grant, trustee, ArtsFund; psychiatrist; entrepreneur
Catherine Hillenbrand, attorney, free-lance project consultant
James Keblas, executive director, The Vera Project
Arlie Neskahi, artist, musician, producer
Mark Charles Paben, attorney, Preston Gates & Ellis LLP; not-for-profit arts board member
Deborah Semer, music industry consultant, musician
Tom Skerritt, actor and director
Sergei Tschernisch, president, Cornish College of the Arts
Cathryn Vandenbrink, artist live/work advocate; project developer
Jennifer Reilly, appointed to the Seattle Arts Commission through the YMCA's "Get Engaged" program that encourages public service for young citizens

"The work the Arts Commission has done in the last several years has tremendously benefitted both the arts community and the City has a whole. I am glad to see so many board members continue to be involved in this effort-it is a powerful legacy and example to all cities."

"The Commissioners' broad perspectives and connections to the community help form City arts and cultural policies and advocate for the agency's mission," said Mayor Nickels. "Their work over the last several years has benefitted both the arts community and the City as a whole. They are creating a powerful legacy and an example for all cities."

"The fact that each member of this Arts Commission whose term was to expire chose to re-up says this commission is committed to continuing the work they began," said Councilmember Nick Licata. "The restoration of funds to the city's arts budget will enable the arts office to strengthen its work in support of arts organizations, artists and neighborhoods. I believe each Commissioners' commitment to that work will lead to important gains for Seattle over the next few years."

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in and of communities throughout Seattle. It's mission is to strengthen communities by managing one of the nation's most innovative public art programs; investing in art and culture for all residents through civic partnerships; connecting communities and artists to explore civic issues and ideas; supporting arts training for young people; promoting the arts' contribution to economic development; and advocating for the arts as part of our everyday lives. The Office is directed by Michael Killoren.

The next meeting of the Seattle Arts Commission is 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, in Room 4050-60, Key Tower, 700 Fifth Avenue. Arts Commission meetings are open to the public and occur on the second Tuesday of the month from 4-6 p.m. Location varies; information is available at www.seattle.gov/arts.

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Office of the Mayor

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