For Immediate Release
Contact: Casey Blake
602-771-6536
[email protected]
Former Arizona State Senators and prominent figures from the business and education sectors appointed to the Arizona Commission on the Arts by Governor Jan Brewer
Phoenix, AZ (November 23, 2011)–Governor Jan Brewer has appointed a new chair for the Arizona Commission on the Arts as well as reappointing a current commissioner and three new community members to the Commission itself.
Phoenix businessman Mark Feldman, a current commission member, has been named the chair of the Commission. Former Senator Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale has been named a new commissioner, and vice-chair. Dr Robert Breunig of Flagstaff, director of the Museum of Northern Arizona has been appointed to a second 2-year term.
Former State Senator Tim Bee of Tucson also has been appointed to the Commission along with Phoenix public affairs professional Carol Crockett. The new Commissioners are part of the 15-member, Governor-appointed Arts Commission.
Feldman was first appointed to the Arts Commission in 2009. Of his new role as Chair, Feldman says, “I am pleased to accept the challenge of the role of Chair for the Arts Commission, as I greatly value the contributions of Arizona’s arts and culture sector. As Chair I pledge to help strengthen the position of the arts and culture sector within and in partnership with other industries, because I believe arts and culture can contribute even more powerfully to Arizona’s bright future.”
“Senator Allen, Senator Bee and Ms. Crockett bring to the Arts Commission years of experience in leadership, education and policymaking. Together with Mr. Feldman as Chair and the uniquely-skilled group of Commissioners, the Arts Commission is poised for a bright future of innovation and collaboration,” said Robert Booker, executive director of the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Appointee Bios
Commission Chair, Mark Feldman (Scottsdale) possesses approximately 25 years experience in the wealth management industry. Mr. Feldman currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Arizona Science Center and Free Arts of Arizona, is a past President of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern and Central Arizona, and is a past Trustee of the Desert Botanical Garden.
Vice Chair, Carolyn Allen (Scottsdale) was an Arizona Senator for District 8 from 2002-2010. Prior to this, she served as a State Representative for District 28. Before her election she was Development Director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Scottsdale Cultural Council. She also served as Executive Director of the Scottsdale Arts Center and President of the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Arts Center Association.
Timothy S. Bee (Tucson) is the Associate Vice President for State Relations at the University of Arizona. Before joining the UA, Bee served as the Director of the Southern Arizona Office of Governor Jan Brewer beginning in January 2009, following eight years of service in the Arizona State Senate. He served as the Senate Majority Leader from 2003 to 2006 and later became President of the Senate, marking the first time that seat was held by someone from Southern Arizona since 1974. Prior to entering state politics, he owned and operated Bee Brothers Printing. Bee is a third generation native of Tucson. Tim and his wife Grace have six children who are very active in the performing arts.
Dr. Robert Breunig (Flagstaff) is director of the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA). Dr. Breunig served as executive director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Chief Curator and Deputy Director of the Heard Museum, Executive Director of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, and Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. He led the design and execution of new displays at each of these museums.
Carol Crockett (Phoenix), an oil painter and member of the Phoenix Art Museum docent program, is Vice President Development/Donor Relations at Hospice of the Valley. She earned a Ph.D. in educational policy from Arizona State University, has served in executive positions at Thunderbird School of Global Management and Xavier College Preparatory, and has held policy and advocacy positions at the federal and state levels, including the Office of Women’s Business Ownership and The Governor’s Division for Children, overseeing the Head Start/Arizona Collaboration for children under the age of 8.
For a full roster of Governor-appointed members of the Arts Commission, visit http://azarts.gov/about-us/commissioners/.
About the Arizona Commission on the Arts
One of 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies across the United States, the Arizona Commission on the Arts is an agency of the State of Arizona that supports a statewide arts network. The Arizona Commission on the Arts supports access to quality arts and arts education opportunities for all Arizona citizens; the development and retention of statewide jobs in the nonprofit arts, culture and education sectors; and increased economic impact in local communities through arts-based partnerships that develop tax and small business revenue. www.azarts.gov
We imagine an Arizona where everyone can participate in and experience the arts.
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To request this or any other agency publication in an alternative format, contact the Arts Commission offices at (602) 771-6501.
Images available upon request.
