Arts Advisory Panel
The Arts Advisory Panel is comprised of representatives from each of the five artistic disciplines – Dance, Literature, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts – and generalists who demonstrate strong involvement in support of the arts in the SEMAC region. The Panel is responsible for reviewing grant applications and making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Assembled through an open nomination process, panelists are appointed by the Board of Directors based on their artistic expertise and critical skills in their respective disciplines. To nominate someone for a term on the Arts Advisory Panel, please contact the SEMAC office.
| Discipline | Panelist | Description |
| Dance | Hollybeth Anderson | a successful choreographer and dance instructor, actively involved with community arts projects and The Rochester Civic Theatre Company in several capacities |
| Dance | Judy Hickey | board member of several local arts organizations, degrees in Theater and Drama, stellar track record of teaching, program development, and fund development in theatre arts, music, dance and visual arts |
| Literary Arts | Pamela Whitfield | Faculty of English & Humanities at RCTC, writer, actor, award winning educator and poet |
| Music | David Kassler | professional musician with experience in performance, conducting and composition, recipient of a SEMAC Individual Artist Grant to compose and perform chamber music |
| Music | David Friddle | Julliard-trained musician, founder of two nonprofits, published author, graphic/web designer |
| Theatre | Daved Driscoll | author, teaches acting and creative writing workshops, artistic and managing director of Norfhland Words, home of Words Players and the Minnesota SkyVault Theatre Company, recently served as vice president of the SEMAC Board of Directors. |
| Theatre | Merritt Olsen | professional actor, former executive director, Performing Arts Center of Rapid City, with leadership background at various equity and community theatre groups across the country |
| Visual Arts | Jon Swanson | curator of collections and exhibitions at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, degrees in Fine Art and History of Art, member of the Winona Fine Arts Commission and previously served on the board of Midwest Music Festival |
| Generalist | Beth Nienow | accomplished musician and literary artist with advanced degrees in literature and educational leadership, as well as past SEMAC service |
| Generalist | Ruth Lincoln | extensive music and voice background, having lectured and performed both light and classical opera, also actively engaged with theatre and the visual arts |