ArtsLab is guided by a team of educators and experts in adult education who have significant expertise in a breadth of knowledge areas.
The role of this curriculum design team is to develop course content, provide tools and resources, and shape the peer learning community. Individuals on this team will also provide training for some of the ArtsLab sessions. The curriculum design team will support ArtsLab management and its evaluator in the program’s ongoing evaluation process.
Arts Midwest is pleased to have as core resources in ArtsLab the following thought leaders:
- Kate Barr, MA, Executive Director Nonprofit Assistance Fund and graduate school adjunct faculty at Hamline and University of Minnesota in nonprofit finance. Kate oversees Nonprofits Assistance Fund’s strategic plans, development, loan capital, outreach, and program activities for the loan funds. Prior to joining the Nonprofits Assistance Fund, Kate served as Senior Vice President of Riverside Bank where she was responsible for strategic planning, marketing, and community development lending. She serves on the boards of directors of the Neighborhood Development Center, Partners for the Common Good, and Western Bank. She was the recipient of the MN Council of Nonprofits Visionary Leader award in 2010.
- William Cleveland, writer, musician and the founder and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community. Bill’s 30 year history, producing arts programs in educational, community, and social institutions also includes his leadership of the Walker Art Center’s Education and Community Programs Department, California’s Arts-In-Corrections Program and the California State Summer School for the Arts. His books, Art in Other Places, Making Exact Change, and Art and Upheaval chronicle the arts-based community development movement that has established the arts as a powerful resource for building caring and capable communities in communities in the US and across the world.
- Anne Hunter, MBA, owner of HunterSage Marketing, and adjunct faculty at Univ. of St. Thomas. Anne brings to clients more than 25 years of strategic planning, marketing and media relations experience. Prior to launching Marketing Source USA in 1994, Hunter held marketing management posts at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Valleyfair Amusement Park, and chambers of commerce in two states. Her vita also includes work as a newspaper reporter and columnist, ad designer, and PR assistant for a major Philadelphia insurance company. She has taught marketing and nonprofit management at Gustavus Adolphus College, Metropolitan State University and the University of St. Thomas.
- Lori L. Jacobwith. Strategist and Trainer Lori L. Jacobwith brings nearly 25 years of professional speaking, coaching, and training to her work with social profit organizations. In addition to working as a Development Director, Executive Director, and President/CEO for various organizations Lori has provided training & coaching for thousands of organizations and their boards nationwide. Lori’s commitment is to create environments where you find ease and joy in fundraising. Lori has a BA in Political Science and Speech-Communication from the University of Minnesota and additional training through the Fund Raising School at Indiana University. She lives in Minnesota, is a long-time member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals [AFP].
- Mai Moua, PhD, is the founder and president of Leadership Paradigms, Inc., a consulting firm which specializes in leadership and organizational development and training. She is Hmong-American and came to the United States in 1979 as a refugee from Thailand. Dr. Moua received her doctorate degree in leadership studies from Gonzaga University. Her work is in the areas of cross cultural leadership, women’s leadership, leadership development – especially in communities of color, cultural competency and intelligence, and nonprofit and public management and leadership. She currently serves as adjunct faculty at several universities.
- Scott Taylor, EdD, MBA, MSC, Minnesota Mentors faculty with South Central College. Scott brings to students/business owners 25 years of business experience in three industry sectors as president of Brett’s Department Stores (retail), VP of Marketing and Sales for Phoenix Biocomposites (manufacturing) and owner of the Expanded Awareness Institute, a teaching and consulting company (service.) Taylor has served on numerous nonprofit boards. His last position was treasurer for an international nonprofit. Along with Dan Sprague, Taylor partnered with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits in teaching QuickBooks for Nonprofits. He has also been adjunct faculty for Minnesota State University, Mankato and Metro State.
- Sharon Rodning Bash, ArtsLab Program Director. In addition to her work with ArtsLab, Sharon is adjunct faculty in the St. Mary’s University graduate program in Arts and Cultural Management, teaching in the areas of nonprofit administration and program planning and evaluation. Prior to her appointment with ArtsLab, Sharon was the program director for organizational development and training at the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. She has also been a consultant to nonprofit arts and human service organizations for many years, providing support and training in the areas of strategic planning, change management, creative problem solving, and major project implementation.