Mayor Brown, Spokane Arts Announce Plans to Form Office of Arts and Culture
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~ Spokane, WA - Mayor Lisa Brown has announced plans to establish a new Office of Arts and Culture within the City of Spokane. This decision comes after mutual agreement between Mayor Brown and the leadership of Spokane Arts to extend their contract for an additional six months, starting January 1, 2025.

The new office will be a collaborative effort between representatives from the Administration, Spokane Arts, and the Arts Commission. Together, they will work towards determining which aspects of the existing Spokane Arts portfolio will be incorporated into the City office.

Upon its establishment, current Executive Director of Spokane Arts, Skyler Oberst, will be named as the Director of the Office. Joining him will be Elisabet Edwards, who currently serves as Constituent Services Coordinator and Arts Liaison in the Brown Administration.

In a statement, Mayor Brown expressed her belief that arts and culture are essential to the community and this move allows for increased support for creatives in all sectors. She also highlighted the potential for identifying new funding opportunities and integrating arts into various aspects of city life.

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Spokane Arts Executive Director Skyler Oberst shared his excitement about being a part of this historic moment. He believes that this decision is in the best interest of the creative sector and is confident in their ability to smoothly transition into the new city Office of Arts and Culture. Oberst also sees this as an opportunity for growth and innovation within the arts community.

Karen Mobley, an arts consultant who previously served as City Arts Director for 15 years before being laid off in 2012 due to outsourcing, also expressed her enthusiasm for this development. She believes that every city deserves a thriving arts community with support from all sectors - government, philanthropy, and business. Mobley looks forward to serving the creative sector, audience, and community in her role within the new office.

This move towards establishing a dedicated Office of Arts and Culture demonstrates Spokane's commitment to fostering a rich and vibrant arts community. With the support of the government, philanthropy, and business sectors, the city aims to create a sense of belonging for all its residents through the arts.

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