Operating Support

Elizabeth Bucheit: Bucheit creates jewelry and body adornment inspired by her Scandinavian ancestry and keeps close ties to her heritage by drawing inspiration from Nordic folklore and myth. A goldsmith for more than 30 years, she holds a master?s degree in metalworking and jewelry from the University of Iowa and has trained in traditional jewelry and metalworking techniques in Norway and Ireland. Bucheit has won numerous competitions and been awarded grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, The McKnight Foundation, Sons of Norway, and the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. She has exhibited in museums and cultural centers, and her bridal tiaras and wedding jewelry are in many collections. Bucheit is an active speaker on the topic of Norwegian filigree work and conducts workshops and classes in jewelry design and fabrication. She owns and operates Crown Trout Jewelers in Lanesboro.; William Cooper: Cooper has been involved in the film, video, and television business for almost forty years, working primarily as an actor. However, for the last twenty years, has been a producer, director, and instructor. Cooper has produced/directed a dozen short and feature films. All of Cooper's feature films were shot in the Midwest, have gotten distribution, and his last feature won six awards. For fifteen years, Cooper has been the managing director of the Twin Cities Film Fest and provided leadership in programming, education, and production.; Rachel Dahl: Dahl is a recent college graduate of the University of St. Thomas where she studied business operations and computer science. She now works as a project manager at Travelers Insurance in Saint Paul. Music has been a huge part of her life as she has played the trumpet since childhood and continues playing weekly in an alumni band. She previously worked at an art store in the small town of Lindstrom when she was growing up, and loved getting to experience art daily. Dahl is also passionate about giving back to the community and volunteering, which she is looking to do more often. She enjoyed her time as an Arts Board grant reviewer last year and aspires to return, as it combines her passions of arts and community service.; Kathryn Fischer: Fischer?s experience includes working as director of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, responsible for light rail, busway, and Union Depot projects. In addition, she worked for the nonprofit organization Road Scholar, developing and implementing cultural programs for visitors to the Twin Cities from throughout the country. Fischer sought out theater, museum, music, and hands-on art experiences for hundreds of participants. Fischer graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BSc in urban studies and environmental design. She is also a volunteer University of Minnesota master gardener emeritus. Her passion is lifelong learning.; Adaobi Okolue: Okolue is the executive director at Twin Cities Media Alliance, a media arts organization that develops bold storytellers and creates spaces for bold storytelling, centering the voices and imagination of people on the margins, shifting what is perceived possible for our collective future. Known for exploring the intersections of multimedia, creativity and innovation, story, and activism in her work, Okolue has been a guest speaker on Minnesota Public Radio, at The Loft Literary Center, on Pollen, and in The Atlantic. She has been a Roy Wilkins Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota?s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Givens Foundation Black Writers Collaborative Fellow, VONA Writing Workshop fellow, and Americans for the Arts? Arts & Culture Leaders of Color fellow. She also serves as board chair for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.; Peter Spooner: Spooner (BS in art education and MFA in painting) has enjoyed a long career as an educator and museum professional. He served as curator/assistant director at University Galleries, Illinois State University; and curator, Tweed Museum of Art, University of Minnesota Duluth (1994-2012). His list of exhibitions and publications is extensive, from shows that toured nationally and internationally, to projects celebrating artists of Minnesota. Spooner served as a juror, grant application reviewer, and board member for numerous institutions including the Illinois Arts Council, Jerome Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, and the Duluth Public Arts Commission. Currently an art appraiser, painter, and teacher; he is semiretired.; Sarah Stephens: Stephens is president and cofounder of Stephens Nicolson Artists Management (SNAM), an international management agency in New York City representing opera singers, stage directors, composers, and conductors. Stephens began her first agency in Bremen, Germany, and moved to New York in 2008. She acquired licenses as a recognized artist manager in Germany and the European Union. She has taught seminars at Middlebury College German for Singers, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the Juilliard School, and Hunter College. Stephens serves on the board of three nonprofits: Opera Managers Association International (Germany), Freiburg University Alumni (New York), and the Greater Lake Sylvia Association (Minnesota). Her studies were at the University of Vermont, Universitat Freiburg (Germany) for her BA, and at the University of Minnesota for her MA in German literature. Stephens is a native Minnesotan who grew up in south Minneapolis.; Heather Ungerer: Ungerer is the vice president of operations at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota. She has spent her career working in nonprofits and has a focus in human resources. She graduated from Chadron State College with a master of science degree in organizational management. She spent five years volunteering with the Zonta Club of Mankato.; Beth Winterfeldt: Winterfeldt is the programs and advocacy director for Partners for Housing in Mankato, where she oversees federal and state grants that fund housing programs. Winterfeldt was previously a professional musician and teacher, helping many students successfully apply for tuition grants via Twin Rivers Council for the Arts. Winterfeldt graduated from Concordia College (Moorhead) with a bachelor of music degree, Rice University with a master?s in music, and Minnesota State University, Mankato with a master?s of social work degree and graduate nonprofit leadership certificate.