Wednesday, April 03, 2013

City of Santa Fe Names Debra Garcia y Griego Director of the Santa Fe Arts Commission


The City of Santa Fe is pleased to announce that Debra Garcia y Griego has been selected to serve as the Director of the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission. A native of Santa Fe, Garcia y Griego has worked as the Senior Planner of the Arts Commission since December 2000. As Director, she will be responsible for implementing the City’s support of arts and cultural affairs including its funding of local nonprofit arts organizations, operation of the Community Gallery, the Art in Public Places program and the Creative Tourism initiative. Garcia y Griego was one of five applicants interviewed for the position. Her appointment is effective immediately.

"The members of the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission are especially pleased by Debra's appointment," states Kirk Ellis, Chair of the Arts Commission. "Throughout our tenure she has demonstrated considerable knowledge of both the local art community and the workings of city government, which have helped us to fulfill our charge as Commissioners."

“A native of Santa Fe, I have benefited greatly from our city’s arts and culture. As the Arts Commission celebrates its 25th anniversary, I look forward to continuing to build upon its history of service to the community,” states Garcia y Griego. “I am both honored and humbled to serve as Director.”

Garcia y Griego has a Master in Arts Administration from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History from the University of New Mexico. Since 2000, she has been responsible for management of the Arts Commission’s funding of nonprofit arts organizations as well as the public art program. Prior to joining the Arts Commission, she was a Project Manager for Museum Campus Chicago—a joint venture of The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, and the Chicago Park District. Her experience includes work with the visual and performing arts.

The City of Santa Fe Arts Commission was established in 1987 to provide leadership by and for the City in supporting arts and cultural affairs, recommending programs and policies to develop and promote artistic excellence in the community.  Its goals are to encourage community-wide involvement in the arts, promote programs and practices that generate long-term sustainability for Santa Fe’s arts and cultural resources, and to preserve the quality of arts programs and services, while building capacity for future needs and growths. The Arts Commission is a nine-member advisory group appointed by the Governing Body. For more information, call 505-955-6707 or visit www.SantaFeArtsCommission.org.

No comments: