Arts Experiences

Theodora Economou: Economou has served on numerous nonprofit organizations supporting the arts in west central Minnesota, including Pioneer Public TV, Prairie Wind Players, and Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School, practiced law, and taught business law and human resource management as an adjunct at the University of Minnesota Morris.; Rodolfo Gutierrez Montes: Gutierrez Montes is the executive director at Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER), having extensive experience in research with communities of color in Minnesota and beyond. He leads a group of researchers that communicate with communities in the state. HACER's work has been recognized by different organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau which named it the Partner of the Year in 2024. He has studied history and demography and has received certification as an evaluator.; Hannah Hassler: Hassler is the director of advocacy for Committee Against Domestic Abuse, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence through education, advocacy, and shelter. She has a MA in psychology, a degree that included several graduate level courses in topics such as creativity and expressive arts. Prior to her current position, she served as a 7th grade teacher in Duncanville, TX. As an active member of the Minnesota Social Services Association, she is on the scholarship and awards committee, where she screens award applicants. Hassler is also a member of the National Organization for Arts in Health.; Samuel Kellar-Long: Kellar-Long is currently a grant writing collaborator for Et Alia Theater and recently served as a volunteer grant reviewer for Arts Midwest. He was recognized as a National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar in 2021 after representing Minnesota at the National History Day competition. He has performed with Circus Juventas and the New York Circus Project, and will graduate from the National Circus School of Montreal in 2025. He shares his passion for the circus arts with underserved communities in his teaching work with Safe Harbors of the Hudson and the Madison Circus Space.; Patricia Kirby: Kirby is a marketing contractor for Ecolab. For most of her career, she facilitated productions for artists and companies from around the world on North American tours and for Lincoln Center Festival in New York City. Prior to her work in artist services, Kirby was a program officer for the Arts Board's Arts Across Minnesota program and the business manager for Williamstown Theatre Festival (Williamstown, MA). She started her career in ticketing and accounting. Kirby holds a BS in finance from the University of Minnesota and a MBA in arts administration from Indiana University. ; Hlee Lee-Kron: Lee is an experienced multimedia professional dedicated to community storytelling. She's passionate about utilizing media, programs, and projects to drive civic and creative engagement. As a dedicated community builder, Lee has experience designing and managing programs that empower youth, support elders, and foster civic engagement. Throughout her career, she has been committed to uplifting diverse voices and strengthening local communities.; Marynel Ryan Van Zee: Ryan Van Zee is the director of student fellowships at Carleton College. She works with students and recent alumni applying for external awards and administers an internal fellowships program. From 2005-2015, she was a faculty member in history at the University of Minnesota Morris. She has studied in Amsterdam and Berlin, and was a Fullbright Association board member.; Linda Snouffer: Snouffer is a botanical printmaker. Snouffer's multifaceted work has been recognized with numerous merits and honors. She was awarded a 2019 residency with the Science Museum of Minnesota and fulfilled commission work for Hennepin County Medical Center, Ramsey County Library, and several others. She has previously reviewed arts grants and has a decade of art exhibit installation experience in many Minnesota galleries. Snouffer has held administration and program planning roles in various metro arts organizations.; Lauren Witt: Witt works as a grants coordinator for The Works Museum, where she secures funding to improve access to STEM learning experiences for youth and families. Witt previously worked for Children's Dental Services, where she oversaw grant applications focused on access to health care, and on opioid and tobacco cessation services for low-income and at-risk populations. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a BS in public health and community health education. Witt volunteers with the Minnesota Society for Public Health Education, where she champions voting rights with community partners.