About Us
We Are The Arts Commission
Who We Are
The Arts Commission is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1959 to foster Toledo’s heritage in the arts. The organization is the longest-standing arts commission in the state of Ohio, serving youth, artists, arts organizations, and the general public. Since 1977, The Arts Commission has managed the City of Toledo’s One Percent for Art program, the first in the state of Ohio and among the first in the nation, and maintains Toledo’s impressive collection of public art.
What We Do
The Arts Commission delivers innovative and influential programming to the community, including public events that support and drive our local economy. In addition, the organization offers educational and professional development opportunities for artists and area youth, advocacy on behalf of artists and cultural organizations, and access to arts and culture for all in the greater Toledo region.
Why We Do It
The Arts Commission is honored to serve the artists, cultural institutions, and creative community who make our city an inspiring place to live, work, and create. Arts and culture are at the core of strong and vibrant communities and artists play a vital role in both civic engagement and economic development. We believe the arts are for everyone, and we invite you to join us.
Expression is an essential need.
The Arts Commission is proudly supported by the Ohio Arts Council. By promoting the arts and connecting artists, the OAC makes the collective voice of the arts stronger for artists, for the public, for organizations, and for educators.
Our Staff
Crystal Phelps
Marketing & Communications Manager
David Ross
Creative Placemaking Coordinator
Emily Finkel
Office Manager
EMILY HORST
CULTURAL ASSETS RESEARCH AND MAPPING COORDINATOR
Hope Hooper
Momentum Festival Manager
Jennifer Jarrett
Chief Operating Officer
JESSE HEIDER-AYLING
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COORDINATOR
Jordan Buschur
Artist Services Manager
Kelly Rose Hirsh
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Liam Johnson
Creative Placemaking Coordinator
Lindsay Akens
Creative Placemaking Manager
Marc Folk
President & Chief Executive Officer
Marcia Culling
Financial Manager
Natalie Gray
Youth Services Manager
Natalie Tranelli-Jacobs
Art Loop Manager
Nathan Mattimoe
Art in Public Places Director
Ryan A. Bunch
Community Initiatives Director
Board of Trustees
- John EikostPresident
- Rhonda SewellPresident-Elect
- Julie BeckertVice-President
- Kristin KiserTreasurer
- Maribeth Nitschke PhibbsSecretary
- Sarah SkowPast President
Greg Braylock, Jr.
Maureen Brown
Ramona Collins
Gretchen DeBacker
Michael Duket
Charlene Gilbert
Candice Harrison
Marcus Harrison
Elaina Hernandez
Dan Hernandez
Adam Jackson
Maureen Brown
Ramona Collins
Gretchen DeBacker
Michael Duket
Charlene Gilbert
Candice Harrison
Marcus Harrison
Elaina Hernandez
Dan Hernandez
Adam Jackson
Laura Jajko
Ardenia Jones Terry
Kate Kelley
Claire Kirsner
Kristin Kiser
Kevin Kwiatkowski
Jon Levine
Shannon Loar
Bob Lubell
Alex Marsh
Robert Meeker, Jr.
Ardenia Jones Terry
Kate Kelley
Claire Kirsner
Kristin Kiser
Kevin Kwiatkowski
Jon Levine
Shannon Loar
Bob Lubell
Alex Marsh
Robert Meeker, Jr.
Kathleen Merrill
Larry Meyer
Dr. Tracee Perryman
Diane Phillips
Alecia Robinson
Kyle Sword
Reginald Temple
Josh Thurston
Mechelle Zarou
Gail Zimmerman
Robert Zollweg
Larry Meyer
Dr. Tracee Perryman
Diane Phillips
Alecia Robinson
Kyle Sword
Reginald Temple
Josh Thurston
Mechelle Zarou
Gail Zimmerman
Robert Zollweg
Honorary Trustees
Paula Brown
Liz Cole
Sara Jane DeHoff
Arnold Gottlieb
Sue Hague-Rogers
Jeff Jaffe
Patricia Levey
Rita Mansour
Jim Moore
Liz Cole
Sara Jane DeHoff
Arnold Gottlieb
Sue Hague-Rogers
Jeff Jaffe
Patricia Levey
Rita Mansour
Jim Moore
Diane Putnam
Susan Reams
Rory Shanley-Brown
Margy Trumbull
Peter Ujvagi
Tim Valko
Georgia Welles
Sandra Wiseley
Susan Reams
Rory Shanley-Brown
Margy Trumbull
Peter Ujvagi
Tim Valko
Georgia Welles
Sandra Wiseley
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