Creative Individuals-Round 2

James Bartsch: Minneapolis resident Bartsch has been active in Minnesota's arts and education communities for many years. A graduate of the University of Minnesota in music education and violin performance, he has taught public school orchestra programs in Northfield, Red Wing, and Mounds View schools. He retired from full-time teaching in June 2022. He was Minnesota Orchestra's director of education from 1999-2013. Bartsch is a longtime conductor with the Minnesota Youth Symphonies including a 2-year term as interim coartistic director, and is a teacher with the Augsburg University Suzuki violin program. He is a freelance violinist in the area, past president of the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association, and has served on the Minneapolis Arts Commission. He enjoys the vibrant arts opportunities in Minnesota?from individual artists to arts organizations of all sizes.; Elizabeth Gabler: Gabler is the business development director at Alchemy Architects in Saint Paul. She's volunteered as a citizen journalist for the Twin Cities Daily Planet writing art and theater reviews. She has served on the board of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, the Creative Enterprise Zone, and has provided consulting services to a variety of architecture and design committees. She created Art Flare NE, an event at the Edge of the Whirl, a three-day art festival held during Art-A-Whirl. Art Flare NE showcased local artists and promoted "buy local" and small business owners. She holds a master?s degree in visual communication (design) from the University of Minnesota.; Rebecca Graves: Graves is the executive director of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), one of eleven regional arts councils in the state of Minnesota. Graves has worked in nonprofits for six years and tribal government prior to thatG. raves is a tribal enrolled citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.; Lesa Haakenson Bader: Bader is the vice president of communications at Ryan Companies, a company that has been deeply ingrained in the communities where it works since its foundation more than 85 years ago. Buoyed by her company?s support to give both time and financial contributions to organizations that are important to each team member, Bader would like to take her experience working in nonprofits and her passion for the arts to contribute to the work of the Minnesota State Arts Board. With more than twenty years of experience as a communicator and marketer, she has a BA in psychology and English and a MA in English.; Karen Heikel: Heikel is a retired university administrator who led both continuing education and online education efforts at a variety of institutions. During her university tenure she served as an executive director, college dean, and associate vice chancellor at the University of Minnesota, Montana State University, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and the University of Wisconsin Superior. Heikel holds a doctorate in educational policy and administration, a master of business administration, a master of arts in psychology-counseling (all from the University of Minnesota), and a bachelor of arts in the social sciences (Colorado State University). Heikel has served as a board member for the Yellowstone Art Museum, the Rotary Club of Oshkosh, and the Program to Aid Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA). She has made numerous public presentations related to online education and the role of women in the workforce. Heikel has been retired since 2017.; Megan McNinch: McNinch is an artist focusing on painting, printmaking, and drawing. Her teaching experience ranges from preschool to high school students and she is an active volunteer with youth in the arts. McNinch graduated from St. Catherine?s University with a BA in studio art.