Charlottesville Area Arts Council Planning Project Announces Steering Committee Members
Charlottesville, VA —September 22, 2025 — A broad cross-section of artists, cultural workers, and community leaders has been selected to serve on the Steering Committee for the Charlottesville Area Arts Council planning project.
The Steering Committee will guide the community-driven process to explore the creation of a future Arts Council for the Charlottesville area. Their role is to provide insight, ensure broad community perspectives are represented, and co-create recommendations for how a future Arts Council can equitably serve the city’s diverse arts and culture ecosystem. The committee members were chosen from a pool of 59 applications submitted by local artists, organizers, educators, administrators, and community supporters.
Steering Committee Members include
Dr. Andrea Douglas — Founding Executive Director of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center and leading voice on cultural equity and history.
Ann E. Wall — Deputy County Manager for Albemarle County with three decades of public service experience and leadership in community development, public engagement, and local government.
Annie Temmink — Artist and educator whose practice focuses on material exploration, ecological engagement, and community-centered artmaking; Associate Technical Director at Live Arts; Teaching Artist, VMFA
Brittany Fan — Painter, photographer, illustrator, and designer whose work captures landscapes, identity, and belonging.
Courtney Cacatian — Director of the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, Courtney advances cultural tourism and strengthens community partnerships.
Dutch Senft — Visual artist, gallerist, and educator dedicated to cultivating creative connections and expanding access to the arts; Aunspaugh Fellow at UVA
Fenella Belle — Artist and educator living in Louisa County whose work is rooted in storytelling and community; Chair, Visual and Performing Arts at PVCC; Associate Member, McGuffey Art Center
James Freas — Deputy City Manager for Operations with the City of Charlottesville, James brings expertise in planning, housing, and community development.
Jalia Dillard — Multidisciplinary creative and organizer committed to equity and representation in cultural spaces; Graphic Designer and Content Creator, Light House Studio; Former City & County Wide Charlottesville Mural Project Fellow
Jessica Harris — Interdisciplinary theatre artist, director, and producer exploring themes of identity, belonging, and collaboration; Founder and Artistic Director, Empowered Players; Board President, Descendants of Enslaved Communities of Virginia; Assistant Director of Community Research, the Center for Community Partnerships at UVA; UVA Arts Council
Jeremy Stern — Marketing and data professional engaged in Charlottesville’s arts scene, Jeremy has served on the board of the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative and hosts CreativeMornings Charlottesville.
Jordan Perry — Musician, composer, and teacher based in Charlottesville who fosters creative expression and collaboration; Program Director, Music Resource Center (MRC)
Natasha Woods — Charlottesville-based artist and filmmaker blending visual storytelling with themes of community and justice; Assistant Director, Visible Records
Olivia Gabbay — Gamer and political organizer bringing perspectives from community advocacy and emerging cultural spaces.
Tobiah Mundt — Sculptural fiber artist known for imaginative works merging craft traditions with contemporary narratives; Founding Member, Charlottesville Black Arts Collective (CBAC); Resident Artist, McGuffey Art Center
Next Steps
The Steering Committee will hold its first orientation meeting in September and will play a visible role in the launch events scheduled for October 15–16, 2025. This event will include community conversations designed to gather broad input and prioritize ideas for the future Arts Council. Information about the steering committee and upcoming events can be found at:
https://newcityarts.org/events/2025-arts-council-community-conversation
https://newcityarts.org/events/arts-council-planning-kick-off
About the Charlottesville Arts Council Planning Project
This collaborative initiative is facilitated by an independent consultant. New City Arts Initiative is the administrative home for this 7-month Arts Council Feasibility Study, which is supported by UVA Arts & the Office of the Provost & the Vice Provost for the Arts, the City of Charlottesville, The FUNd at CACF, the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB), and the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation.
The project is rooted in the belief that sustainable arts infrastructure should be shaped by the community it serves, ensuring that Charlottesville’s arts and culture sector has the resources and advocacy needed to thrive.
About New City Arts Initiative
New City Arts Initiative is a Charlottesville-based nonprofit that supports artists and engages the community through exhibitions, performances, residencies, fellowships, and community-building programs. With a focus on cultivating creativity, collaboration, and belonging, New City Arts creates opportunities for artists to thrive and for the community to experience the transformative power of the arts.
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