PHOENIX, AZ (April 7, 2011)—Mandy Buscas, currently serving as Arts Learning Director for the Arizona Commission on the Arts, will soon take on a new professional role at the Mesa Arts Center.
Mandy has been a part of Arizona’s state arts agency team for eight years, serving in three positions: Afterschool Coordinator, Arts Learning Program Director and Arts Learning Director.
In her new post at the City of Mesa, Mandy will oversee community programming and outreach activities as the Arts Education Outreach Coordinator for the Mesa Arts Center. Additionally, Mandy will work with program staff to creatively link visual and performing artists hosted by the Mesa Arts Center to various community groups and organizations; create projects and partnerships with external institutions and organizations that broaden and deepen the reach of the Mesa Arts Center into the local community and region; and collaborate with education staff at the City of Mesa’s two museums (Arizona Museum of Natural History and Arizona Museum for Youth) to coordinate efforts and programs as part of Mesa’s Arts and Culture Department.
In her time at the Arts Commission, Mandy transformed the agency’s Teaching Artist Roster program, significantly improving access to high-quality Arizona teaching artists by leading the process of moving the entire resource online. She fostered local support of arts education in Arizona communities through stART initiatives, which included networking, professional development and increased stakeholder engagement in the arts. Mandy also oversaw the delivery of grant funding to hundreds of arts organizations and schools through the agency’s various Arts Learning grant programs, and spearheaded two statewide convenings for Arizona arts learning professionals, the Teaching Artist Symposium (2009) and the Joint Arts Education Conference (2010).
Arts Commission Executive Director, Robert C. Booker, said, “Mandy’s leadership in developing quality professional learning opportunities for teaching artists and educators has been incredibly valuable to the Arizona arts industry. While we will miss her being a part of the Arts Commission team, we are thrilled that Mesa will become the focus of her myriad talents and attention as she develops innovative learning opportunities for East Valley residents.”
Rob Schultz, Assistant Director of the Mesa Arts and Culture Department said of the transition, “Cindy Ornstein, Director of the Mesa Arts Center, and I are so pleased to have the benefit of Mandy’s expertise, and her extensive contacts and partnerships as we move forward in connecting more broadly and deeply to our community.”
Mandy’s last day as Arts Learning Director for the Arts Commission will be April 16, 2011 in Yuma, where she will lead workshops on the agency’s behalf at the Museum Association of Arizona Conference. She will begin work in her new position at the Mesa Arts Center on April 18, 2011.
Over the last four years, the Arts Commission has reduced its staff by 40% in response to ongoing and significant budget reductions. Following Mandy’s departure and additional budget cuts outlined within the State of Arizona’s fiscal year 2012 budget, the Arts Commission will once more realign staff duties and consider placing some programs on hiatus. Agency leadership does not intend to rehire any vacant positions at this time.
About the Mesa Arts Center
Mesa Arts Center has received numerous awards and accolades for its programs and outstanding new facilities. Arizona’s largest arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios. Guests, patrons and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment and performances, world-class visual art exhibitions, and outstanding arts education classes. The facility is an architectural showpiece and a destination for visitors to the Phoenix area. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through impacting and engaging experiences that are diverse, accessible and relevant; and that enhance the quality of life and vitality of the region. For more information, visit www.mesaartscenter.com.
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. For more information, visit www.azarts.gov.
We imagine an Arizona where everyone can participate in and experience the arts.
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Images available upon request.
