The Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona, announced today the hiring of Jacky Alling as Interim Executive Director. Alling will join the staff of the 56-year-old agency on January 9, 2023.
“With her deep knowledge of the sector, clarity of vision, and wealth of experience, Jacky is the ideal person to guide the Arizona Commission on the Arts through a moment of transition and tremendous opportunity,” said Mark Feldman, chair of the 15-member board of Governor-appointed commissioners.
Alling joins a team of dedicated arts and public service professionals at the agency. Alex Nelson, Deputy Director, added, “During her time with Arizona Community Foundation, Jacky was a frequent and trusted partner to the Arts Commission. Her familiarity with our work and shared values around arts funding make her a perfect fit for our team.”
Alling comes to the agency from Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, where she served as the first-ever Senior Fellow for Philanthropy. Prior to that, she spent two decades with the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), first as a consultant to design and implement a statewide “Arts in the Schools, Arts in the Community” strategic initiative. Following that she served as the Vice President of Programs and then the Chief Philanthropy Officer collaborating with many to lead, design, orchestrate, and implement some of ACF’s most innovative programs.
Previously Alling worked for a variety of arts organizations. She served as the Executive Director of the Arizona Alliance for Arts Education, a statewide advocacy organization affiliated with the Kennedy Center’s national arts education network. Before that, she worked at ASU Cultural Affairs and then at the Phoenix Boys Choir focusing on building cultural participation, education, and outreach programs.
“I am excited to work with this talented team, the commissioners, the arts community, and the state’s new administration and elected officials to ensure that Arizona arts truly are for everyone. To do that we will work together to make sure continued and more robust public funding for the arts is a priority and that investments in the arts reaches across every corner of the state’s vibrant arts and culture sector.”
As Interim Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Alling will work with the agency’s staff and board on constituent engagement, strategic planning efforts, and on the design and execution of a nationwide search for a permanent Executive Director.