Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington

We strive to strengthen & sustain the arts by connecting artists, cultural organizations, and artistic endeavors with patrons & the community.

Our Mission

The Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington is a member-driven organization that promotes the sustainability of the creative arts community by catalyzing communication and collective action. The Arts Alliance seeks to connect all art genres, arts organizations, and art advocates with each other, and with local businesses, tourism, and arts marketing initiatives. By facilitating education and collaboration, the Arts Alliance empowers the individual artist, and enriches the community’s vibrant arts network.

Our History

The Arts Alliance Greater Bloomington was formed in August 2010 by a large group of practicing artists and arts advocates. The Alliance was incorporated on October 11, 2011 as a not-for-profit entity. In January 2012, the membership elected its first official Steering Committee, representing all arts genres. IRS 501 (c) (3) status was conferred in August, 2014. The term “Board of Directors” was voted to replace the term “Steering Committee” in 2016.

Our Organizational Structure

The Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington identifies five distinct arts genre groups, and two main arts stakeholder groups within in the arts community. Up to two designated representatives for each group communicate their genre’s unique perspectives and concerns as members of the Board of Directors, which then set the Arts Alliance agenda. This direct representational structure is unique among arts service organizations, and insures that the interests of all arts genres are all represented equally. The Alliance strives to be inclusive, and additional At-Large seats provide representation for artists and arts stakeholders who, for whatever reason, do not readily identify within one particular genre or stakeholder group.

Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington (AAGB) Logo

2022 Board of Directors

  • Henry Leck

    PRESIDENT

    Professor Emeritus – Butler University. Choral Music Founder - Indianapolis Children’s Choir.

  • Joanne Shank

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Visual Artist – Watercolor, Abstract, & Musician Gesture Drawings.

  • Donna Barbrick Carlton

    SECRETARY

    Adjunct faculty in the School of Public Health Physical Activity Instruction Program. Middle Eastern Dance & Hatha Yoga Instructor.

  • Sarah Asher

    TREASURER & Arts Alliance Center Coordinator

    MBA with an emphasis in Finance & Bachelors in Business Management. Former Manager of By Hand Gallery.

  • Colleen Newbill

    BOARD MEMBER

    Associate attorney – Mallor Grodner Law Practice.

  • Xinyuan Zhang

    BOARD MEMBER

    Masters Student - IU School of Informatics. Studying in Human-Computer Interaction & Design Program.

  • Danielle Bruce

    BOARD MEMBER

    Freelance designer, visual artist, & theatre designer. Board member of My Sister’s Closet & Middle Way House.

  • Tom Duffy

    BOARD MEMBER

    Fine art & documentary photographer. Emeritus professor IU School of Education, Learning Sciences, & Cognitive Science.

  • Alison Kingsley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Art instructor - Edgewood High School.

  • Michael Squires

    BOARD MEMBER

    M.A, M.P.A, PhD. Empirical Theory and Methodology.

  • Valerie Gill

    BOARD MEMBER

    Associate Vice President Business Partnerships - IU

  • Kendall Reeves

    BOARD MEMBER

    Owner - Spectrum Creative Group. Professional Photographer & Indiana Artisan. Member of Hoosier Artist Gallery in Nashville.

  • Samantha Ryan

    BOARD MEMBER

    Graduate student - O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Majoring in Public Affairs & Arts Administration.

  • Frances Shelly

    BOARD MEMBER

    Retired Professor of Flute – DMA University of Michigan.

  • Bob Appleman

    BOARD MEMBER

 

2022 Advisory Council

  • Alain Baker

    ADVISORY COUNCIL CHAIR

    Founding Director - IU Jacobs School of Music’s Office of Entrepreneurship & Career Development

  • Miah Michaelson

    Executive Director – Indiana Arts Commission

  • Sally Gaskill

    Director - Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP)

  • Holly Waren

    Assistant Director - IU Arts in the Economic & Sustainable Development Department

  • Gabe Grogan

    Managing Director - Cardinal Stage Company

  • Jonah Crismore

    Executive Director - Buskirk-Chumley

  • Bob Arnove

    Chancellor’s Professor Emeritus. Academic Programs: History, Philosophy, & Policy in Education; International & Comparative Education

  • Brad Schiesser

    Managing Director - Bloomington Playwrights Project

  • David Young

    Founder - Young and Laramore Advertising Agency. Sculptor

  • Jaime Sweany

    Owner - Juniper Art Gallery in Spencer, Indiana

  • John Armstrong

    Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer of Pigasus Pictures

  • Malcom Abrams

    Editor & Publisher Bloom Magazine

  • Babette Ballinger

    Member Bloomington Arts Commission

  • Patricia Cole

    12-Year Member of Bloomington City Council. Authored 1% For Art Legislation. Painter & Community Activist

  • Krista Detor

    Singer-Songwriter & Pianist

  • Tom Gallagher

    Owner – Gallagher Properties

  • Stafford Berry

    Director - African American Dance Company. Professor of Practice, Theatre, Drama, & Contemporary Dance

  • Dena Hawes

    Teacher - New Genre, Sculpture & Contemporary Art. Multi-Media Artist

  • Ursula Kuhar

    Faculty Member - O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

  • Denise Lessow

    Owner - Limestone Collectibles. College Level Science & Math Educator/Tutor

  • Martha Moore

    Owner - Pictura Gallery at FAR Center for Contemporary Arts

  • Mary Grogan

    Founder & General Director - ÓperaMaya Foundation. Soprano