Seattle's arts scene is getting a fresh jolt of passion and diversity as the city announces its latest appointees to the Seattle Arts Commission. The group, a melting pot of talent and advocacy, features individuals with a dedicated history in elevating the cultural landscape and ensuring that art remains an accessible pillar of the community.
The new faces include Joël Barraquiel Tan, Linda Chavez-Lowry, Diana (Dhyana) Garcia, Megan Kiskaddon, and Yolanda Spencer – each bringing a unique perspective and a track record of success to the table. Joël, taking the helm at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, is known to fiercely advocate for intersecting social causes through art. The council-appointed leader has a background to richly complement Seattle’s cultural commitments, according to a recent post by Art Beat Seattle.
Linda Chavez-Lowry's resume sparkles with a variety of roles from her directorship at Seattle Magazine to her founding of the Art Committee at the Columbia Tower Club. Her knack for driving community involvement in the arts – and her personal tale of resilience as a stroke and brain aneurysm survivor – speaks to her formidable strength and dedication. Diana Garcia, an International Butoh performer, brings over three decades of experience in dance and movement to the commission. Her work extends beyond the stage, offering healing through holistic movement practices.
At the head of On the Boards, Megan Kiskaddon is set to translate her background in community engagement and arts education to foster new directives within the SAC. Yolanda Spencer, on the other hand, blends cultural heritage and community service, representing Indigenous perspectives from her background in Native Workforce Services. Both contribute to what is lauded as the commission's "collective strength and breadth of knowledge," as Art Beat Seattle relayed.
The commission, now packed with leaders who are set to drive forward arts policy and programming, stands behind the city's commitment to racial equity. Their collective goal is to center communities of color as they push to build a just society through the arts. This emphasis is a heartbeat of their mission, as the SAC unites with the City and ARTS in a powerful strive to make sure everyone can partake in the city’s vibrant arts scene.
