MCA Staff

Click here to apply to MCA’s Board!

Sheila M. Smith Sheila M. Smith has been Minnesota Citizens for the Art’s Executive Director since 1996. She was a leader in the 2008 “Vote Yes” campaign, passing a state constitutional amendment to create 25 years of dedicated funding for the arts and environment. She also has served as a Public Policy Consultant for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and is part of MCN’s Public Policy Cabinet. Before joining MCA, Smith served as staff at the Minnesota State Senate and lobbied local governments for Continental Airlines in Houston, TX. Smith serves as Past Chair of the State Arts Action League, part of Americans for the Arts. She received a Masters degree in Arts Administration from St. Mary’s University and has a B.A. in Shakespeare from St. Olaf College. She also teaches and lectures, both statewide and nationally, about the arts, grassroots advocacy, and other issues. Appointed by the Governor in 2002 to the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board, she is former Chair of the Friends of the Minnesota State Capitol. She is also a proud member of Minnesota’s 2008 and 2009 Champion WorldQuest team, an international affairs trivia competition of the World Affairs Councils of America. Sheila was the recipient of the 2009 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award from Americans for the Arts. The award honors an individual who has dramatically affected the political landscape through arts advocacy efforts at the state level.
Mark Albers Mark Albers became MCA’s Operations Manager in November, 2007, after serving as MCA’s Fieldworker and Communications Intern. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2005 with a degree in Political Science and Public Relations. Before his time at MCA, he served as an Intern with Senator Steve Murphy at the Minnesota Legislature.
Lawrence M. Redmond Lawrence M. Redmond is contracted by MCA as a lobbyist. President of Redmond Associates, Inc., Redmond has lobbied at the Minnesota Legislature for more than 30 years. Formerly a State Senate staffer, and later an aide to Senator Hubert H. Humphrey, Redmond has worked with MCA since 1977.

Board of Directors

Monroe Sandra Agustin is currently the Artistic Director of the Neighborhood House on the West Side of St. Paul and is an independent arts and civic dialogue consultant. She was formerly the Artistic Director at Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis, MN, and adjunct faculty at Augsburg College where she taught modern dance and improvisation. Ms. Agustín holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Therapy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Trained in the Hanya Holm/Nikolais aesthetic of modern dance Ms. Agustin has danced andtoured professionally since 1984 throughout the Midwest and in Mexico City. She is an Artistic Core member of Mu Performing Arts, a choreographer for SteppingStone Children’s Theater, and Augsburg Theater. Sandra (Sandy) has served as a panelist for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the Minnesota State Arts Board, Jerome Foundation,Center for Arts Criticism, the Diverse Visions Regional Grant Program, and Dancer Pool panel through the Minnesota Dance Alliance.
Donna Bachman previously served on the MCA board from 2001-2002, and has served as Team Leader at MCA’s Arts Advocacy Day. A resident of Minneapolis, she just completed duties as Lead Arts Organizer for the Vote Yes Minnesota Campaign. She will shortly become the Executive Director at the Ritz Theatre/Ballet of the Dolls. With 25 years of experience in arts administration and production work, at the Children’s Theatre Co., Minnesota Dance Theatre, and independent work, she is a passionate advocate for the arts in Minnesota.
MonaLisa Sandy Boren-Barrett has worked at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins since 1990, where she is currently Artistic Director and CEO. Boren-Barrett has directed numerous adult and youth performances and has taught middle school and high school art and drama courses. She obtained a Grade 7-12 Theatre Arts education certification from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and a BA in Speech and Drama with an emphasis on Directing and Performance from Huntingdon College.
Burns Beth Burns has been an Organizational Metro member since 1997. She is the Executive Director for the Lutheran Music Program and the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival. She has held arts management positions with MacPhail Center, Children’s Theatre Company, and the Guthrie Theatre, where she oversaw the touring and education programs. In 2007, she served as senior advisor to the National Endowment for the Arts “Shakespeare in American Communities” program. She has served on funding panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, South Dakota Arts Council, MSAB and MRAC, and frequently serves as a speaker and presenter.
Shakespeare Hal Cropp represents Region Ten Greater Minnesota. Hal is the Artistic Director of Commonweal Theatre Company in Lanesboro where he has been in a leadership role since 1994, as well as an actor/director/teacher with the company. He serves on the Southeast Minnesota Art Council’s Board of Directors and has been a theatre panelist for the State Arts Board for the past fourteen years. Hal has been a Lanesboro City Council Member and currently serves on Lanesboro’s Economic Development Authority. This is Hal’s second tour of duty on the MCA board.
darland.jpg Barbara Darland, Marketing Director for the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, is excited to represent the city of Duluth on MCA’s board. She is especially interested in the education and awareness aspects of the upcoming Cultural Heritage Constitutional Amendment ballot initiative campaign. In addition to her work at the DSSO, Darland has been a board member of the Sacred Heart Music Center for over five years.
Pat Dove After growing up in Roseau, Minnesota and marrying Paul from Madison, MN, the Dove family spent their working life in southern Indiana as educators. Retirement,
led Pat back to Minnesota and Park Rapids allowed her to become more involved in community building. Pat started the Northern Light Opera Company and was instrumental in organizing the Park Rapids Lakes Area Art Council which has representatives from 16+ arts groups in the Park Rapids area. Pat encourages everyone to check out the beautiful Park Rapids lakes area where the arts are alive and well.
Dowse Greater Minnesota Organizational member Sean Dowse is a past MCA Board President. Dowse has an exemplary dedication to the arts. He has served as Executive Director of the T.B. Sheldon Theatre, a board member for the Anderson Center and Red Wing Arts Association, a director of community theater productions and high school musicals, an arts educator, and a fundraiser for local arts activities. Dowse believes that the arts are a vital element of local community building, and that government should be a partner in nurturing an enlightened and engaged electorate. He has been a member of the board since 1997.
Dunn Craig Dunn, Metro Organizational member and current MCA Board President, has been active as a board member and Executive Director of VSA Arts of Minnesota since 1992. In addition to this work, he serves as a committee member of the Arts Education Consortium of Minnesota and as choral director for the Merry Music Makers, a group of mentally disabled adults primarily residing in Anoka County. He has been a participant in MCA’s annual Arts Advocacy Days at the Capitol in addition to lobbying our congressional delegation in Washington D.C. during VSA Art’s national conferences. Dunn joined the MCA Board in 1998.
Flintrop Brenda Flintrop, Region Nine Greater Minnesota member, has served as Executive Director of the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, Waseca for the past 16 years and also Arts Director for the Region 9 Development Commission from 1989-1993; for a total of 20 years with the Regional Arts Council. From 2000-2004 Flintrop served on the Waseca City Council and was a board member of the Waseca Area Tourism and Visitors Bureau and Human Rights Commission. She also served on the Waseca Community Education Advisory Council, encouraging them to host Prairie Fire Children’s Theater for several years and is active with the Chamber of Commerce. Flintrop also served as a Network Consultant for COMPAS from 1994-1996. She has been active in legislative issues as well, providing information in the Regional Arts Council’s newsletter and mailings about MCA’s activities; and educating her 9-county Region about working with legislators. Flintrop’s knowledge of the arts community’s needs in South Central Minnesota, as well as her skills in nonprofit management, problem-solving, advocacy and leadership, makes her an asset to the MCA Board.
Hansen Kathleen Hansen, Metro At Large member, is the Managing Director of The History Theatre in downtown St. Paul and a professor of arts administration at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has been involved with arts education advocacy for many years, both as a teacher and program administrator, in Michigan, Minnesota and Japan. Hansen is also a freelance musician, playing flute in classical orchestras and woodwinds in pit orchestras around the metro area. She has been a very active member of MCA and hopes to help increase participation of young artists and arts supporters in both MCA and national arts initiatives.
Hunter Amy Hunter, Region 5 Greater Minnesota representative from Staples, is a Program Coordinator for the Freshwater Education District Schools in Central MN and works in the areas of Community Education, School Age Child Care, MN ENABL (a teen pregnancy prevention program), GCT (Gifted, Creative, and Talented) and Drug and Violence Prevention. She serves on the Staples Motley Area Arts Council and sings in the Staples Area Women’s Chorus. She has been active in theater as an actress, production support crew member, and a director. Amy is also a Personal and Professional Coach and Consultant specializing in facilitating individual growth through staff development within professional organizations and in the community. Hunter has been involved in many community arts initiatives over the years and was previously on the MCA board in the 1990’s.
Noah Keesecker Noah Keesecker, Organization Metro members, is a Program Manager at Springboard for the Arts in St. Paul, MN.  Springboard provides economic development programs for artists in the 5-state Upper Midwest. Noah travels all over the region, teaching workshops and working one-on-one with individual artists to improve their capacity to make a living and a life in the arts.  Noah manages the Artist Loan Fund, legal services, and directs Springboard’s social media initiatives. In addition to his work at Springboard, Noah is a composer and multimedia artist and has helped organize the Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Arts. He has had numerous awards and commissions of his work, including a 2008 McKnight Foundation Fellowship and American Composers Forum Subito grant. Noah has an M.A. in Music Composition, with a minor in Art, from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Music Composition & Theory from Central Michigan University.
dmarty.jpg David Marty, Greater Minnesota At-Large member, has been President & CEO of the Reif Arts Council in Grand Rapids, Minnesota since 1996. He is on the board of the MCN (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits), and is active with both Minnesota Presenters Network and the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. In Grand Rapids, Marty is extensively involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Visit Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Players and the Rotary Club, and is active both on and off the stage. Years ago he worked with arts organizations in Holland and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in North Dakota, and once taught arts appreciation classes in Vienna, Austria. Marty’s extensive work in community-based arts organizations around the world helps him recognize the importance of public support for the arts.
Kahlo Carla McGrath, Metro At Large member, is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Highpoint Center for Printmaking in Minneapolis. Prior to starting Highpoint, she was Art Lab Coordinator at the Walker Art Center in the Dept. of Education and Community Programs. She has a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law and has worked with a variety of politically active attorneys. McGrath works with a diverse arts community to bring hands-on art-making experiences to a broad audience, and is dedicated to finding as many ways as possible to help people discover why art does make a difference in their lives. “Serving on the board of MCA is another important way I am able to promote and support art in the lives of Minnesotans.” She has served as a panelist for the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and is an Advisory Board Member of Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts.
M. Miller Margaret Miller is the founder and Executive Director of the Textile Center in Minneapolis. Her experience as an arts leader, as well as a past volunteer for various political campaigns, makes her a great addition to MCA’s board. When asked why she was interested in being a part of MCA, Miller stated, “I want to contribute to securing the state’s commitment to the arts into the future. Minnesota has a rich culture because of the arts and I believe that it is incumbent upon us to continue this heritage.”
Nuechterlein Metro organization member John Nuechterlein is the President and CEO ofAmerican Composers Forum, a national organization based in St. Paul.His service in the field of music spans 30 years. In addition to his work with MCA, Nuechterlein has been an active member of the Arts and Culture Partnership in St. Paul for five years, an MSAB panelist for two years, and is a current Board Member of the Minneapolis-based vocal ensemble Cantus. He works closely with several other arts organizations in collaborative programming. Nuechterlein looks forward to becoming more involved in the political process as an advocate and Board Member with MCA.
Robin Pearson is the new Executive Director of the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council, having served as staff on the Council since 2001. She is a Board Member of the Rochester Arts Council and is an active parent-volunteer with the Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts History and previous work as an exhibits specialist for the Smithsonian Institution, she has a long history in the arts. In addition to her strong arts knowledge and professional arts background, she is passionate about the need to support andexpand access to the arts in all of our communities.
Petersen Rebecca Petersen represents Region Four Greater Minnesota. Rebecca is the Executive Director of A center for the Arts in Fergus Falls and a past MCA Board Chair. She is also an Early Childhood teacher, a board member of the Fargo Moorhead Symphony, and is a private violin and piano teacher. Petersen has also been involved with the Minnesota Alliance for Arts in Education, the MacPhail Center for the Arts, the Fergus Fall United Way, and the Courage Center. . A graduate of the University of Vermont with a degree in music, she has received the Sally Ordway Irvine Award, a Bush Fellowship and a Jerome Travel Study Grant.
Prauer Jeff Prauer became the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) in January, 2008. He had previously been the Executive Director of COMPAS – Community Programs in the Arts – for 14 years, and was its Development Director for 5 years before that. Jeff has also worked in the field of symphony orchestra management, and is a professional free-lance musician in the Twin Cities.
FayePrice Faye M. Price is the Co-Artistic Producing Director of Pillsbury House Theatre in Minneapolis. As co-producer she has overseen a variety of Pillsbury House Theatre productions including Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Perestroika, The Gimmick, Phoenix Fabrik, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train and Bulrusher. A former dramaturg at the Guthrie Theater she has served as the production dramaturg for over a dozen shows, including Summer and Smoke directed by David Esbjornson, Crowns directed by Timothy Bond, Thunder Knocking on the Door, directed by Marion McClinton, A Month in the Country directed by Mark Brokaw, Big White Fog directed by Lou Bellamy, A Dolls House directed by Michael Langham and Helen Burns, and Philadelphia, Here I Come!, directed by Joe Dowling. Faye also served as the production dramaturg for the Penumbra Theater production of The Coming of the Hurricane, and Inner City Opera at the Great American History Theater. As an actress, she most recently appeared in the Park Square Theatre production of Well directed by Michael Bigelow Dixon. In the Twin Cities, Faye has appeared numerous times at Penumbra, Mixed Blood, the Guthrie and Illusion theaters. Faye has also performed nationally at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, ACT in Seattle, Baltimore Center Stage, the Hudson Guild Theatre and the Circle-in-the-Square Theatre in New York, among others. Faye is an alumnus of the Salzburg Seminar. and served as a dramaturg at the New Harmony Project in 1999 and 2000. Faye has also served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, Jerome Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board, McKnight Fellowships for Theater Artists, literary reviewer for the NEA/TCG Theater Residency Program for Playwrights, and an adjudicator for both the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres Festival and the American Association of Community Theatres. Faye is the recipient of the 2006 Catharine Lealtad Service to Society Award from Macalester College. Awarded the August Wilson Fellowship to study Dramaturgy and Literary Criticism, Faye received her graduate degree from the University of Minnesota.
Pulk Mary Ann Pulk, Metro Organization member is the Managing Director of VocalEssence. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Boys Choir in Arizona, and has an extensive background in performing arts management, arts education and advocacy. At Stanford University, she participated in the inaugural class of the national Executive Nonprofit Leadership training program for arts administrators. She served on the Advisory Committee to develop the Minneapolis Plan for Arts and Culture, co-chaired the Sponsorship committee for Minneapolis MOSAIC, and is a member of the board of directors of the Minnesota Womens Economic Roundtable. She was a recent faculty member for three of Chorus America’s national Chorus Management Institutes and serves on the board and performs as an oboist with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.
Rasmussen At-large Greater Minnesota member Chris Rasmussen was a high school art teacher in the Foley Public School system for 34 years. A long time local arts advocate and current chair of the Central Minnesota Arts Board, Rasmussen brings vast political experience to MCA; she has served as Chair of the Benton County DFL for over 20 years and has been an active participant in the legislative activities of Education Minnesota. “I would like to continue my involvement in promoting the arts for our schools and communities. Since my retirement from teaching, I feel becoming a part of MCA is the next stage in my development as an arts advocate.”
Robins Metro Organizational member Michael Robins founded the Illusion Theater in 1974 and currently serves as its Executive Producing Director. He has guided the company as it produced more than 100 world premieres, bringing the work of a diverse and important group of American artists to the state. In addition to directing, Robins has authored or co-authored eight original plays. He also co-adapted and directed two Illusion film projects, including TOUCH, featuring Lindsay Wagner. An original member of the Twin Cities Arts Over AIDS committee, Robins has served as a panel member for United Arts, the Minnesota Dance Alliance and the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Cultural Pluralism Task Force. He has also studied in France with Etienne Decroux, the father of modern mime. Robins has served on MCA’s Board since 1995.
Schumacher Leslie Schumacher, Greater MN At Large member, is the Executive Director of the Central Minnesota Arts Board. She is a freelance artist, and a former Minnesota elected official, four years on the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners and eight years in the House of Representatives. While in the Legislature she served on the K- 12 finance division, Education policy committee, the Agriculture policy committee and the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR). She studied art and psychology at St. Cloud State University. Her hobbies include pyrography, drawing, writing, camping and hunting. She is well known throughout the district for her articulate and persuasive advocacy for the arts. She says “I believe in MCA’s mission and activities. Art is part of the Soul of Humanity thereby worthy of public support.”
Spencer Organizational Metro representative Ann Morelli Spencer of Bloomington served on the board of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for 6 years, including serving as a member of the Council’s Liaison Committee and as Board Chair. Spencer is active in arts organizations in her community, currently serving on the board of the Skylark Opera. She has a particular interest in ensuring that suburban communities have opportunities for local arts activity. A graduate of Oberlin College and Harvard Law School, she is also an attorney with her own practice in Bloomington.
Stearns At-large Greater Minnesota member Amy Stearns manages the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes. A graduate of Augustana College and the University of St. Thomas MBA program, she has had the opportunity to work throughout the United States and abroad for both nonprofit and Fortune 500 companies. Currently, she and her husband have chosen to live in the beautiful lakes area of Minnesota to raise their children. Stearns is an advocate for other nonprofit organizations in Detroit Lakes, recently helped save and renovate the DL Pavilion, and is actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Presenters Network, Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary Club, and Rossman Elementary School. She believes the arts are vital to the sustainability of rural areas and the quality of life in our state.
Christopher Stevens, Organization Metro member, has worked at the Walker Art Center since 1994.  As Chief of Finance and Development, he oversees all aspects of the Walker’s budgeting and fundraising activities.  He successfully planned and executed the Walker’s $100 million capital campaign which was completed in 2006.  Prior to working at the Walker, Stevens held development positions at the Henry Street Settlement and South Street Seaport Museum in New York City.  In 2007, he served as the Co-President of the Art Museum Development Association. Stevens has served as a faculty member of St. Mary’s University of Minnesota for three years where he taught fundraising to graduate students in the Arts & Cultural Management Program.  He was the first man to graduate with a degree in Women Studies from the University of Wisconsin and has a Masters Degree in History from New York University.  Stevens currently serves on the boards of AchieveMpls and the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
DaVinci At-Large Metro member George Sutton, an arts consultant in Minneapolis, is the former Managing Director of the Jungle Theatre. Sutton led the Jungle’s successful fundraising effort for a new theater location in Minneapolis, including lobbying the Minnesota Legislature for bonding funds. Sutton is a tireless advocate for the arts, having served on the MCA Board since 1994. He is also currently a member of the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Venus Sheila Terryll, At-Large Metro member, is the principal consultant at Strategic Development Consulting for Non-Profits. Her involvement in the arts community has been broad: she has worked with Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the Open Book capital campaign, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Terryll has been politically active as well, working on several local, state and national campaigns including the Vote Yes Minnesota constitutional amendment campaign. Terryll is passionate about the work of MCA and the importance of providing arts access to all Minnesotans.
Audrey Thayer Audrey Thayer hails from the Region 2 Arts area. She has served on the Anishinabe Arts board for this region for a number of years. The history of Audrey has a huge list of social justice work but her love is in theater. She performed in numerous live theater productions in northern Minnesota for over ten years. With volunteers and minimal dollars organized the Anishinabe Independent annual Film Festival. Ms. Thayer has a passion for community which reflects through her work for the Greater MN Racial Justice Project (ACLU-MN) and is an enrolled member of the White Earth Reservation.
Amanda Thompson Rundahl joined MCA’s board in 2007. A resident of Braham, Thompson has served as chair of the East Central Arts Council for three consecutive terms, representing Isanti County from 2001-2007 and as an emeritus board member since 2007. In addition, she has worked in the Education Division at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts since 1998. She notes: “I have the unique perspective of living in rural Minnesota while working in the Metro and am involved in the arts community in both places. I want to do everything I can to help ensure that the arts are available and accessible to every Minnesotan they are a critical piece of our state’s culture and heritage!”
Vincent Ben Vander Kooi Jr. is an attorney and DFL activist from Luverne in Southwestern Minnesota. He is President of Blue Mound Area Theatre, the non-profit organization which is restoring the historic Palace Theatre built in 1915 as an all-hemp vaudeville theater and later converted to a movie theater. He also serves on the Council for Arts and Humanities in Rock County, and is a former President of Green Earth Players. He is a Life Trustee of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and served as President from 1996 to 1997. He has served two non-consecutive terms on the Minnesota State Arts Board, and most recently as Chair from 2000 to 2002.
Wafler James Wafler, At-Large Metro member, is President of the Highway Construction Industry Council. He served for nearly 22 years as a staff member for the Minnesota House of Representatives, including nine years as Executive Director of the House Majority Caucus and several years as Executive Director of the Speaker’s Office. Prior to his legislative career, Wafler taught political science for several years in the eastern U.S. He also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Orchestra and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Wafler has been on MCA’s Board since 1998.
Zielske Daniel Zielske, Greater Minnesota At-Large. Dan has worked throughout Greater Minnesota. “If our state is to remain competitive with the rest of the world we need to attract the best and brightest companies and individuals to live among us. To do this, we need a well-funded arts community. I am confident MCA can make that difference.”

Board Members: Click here to visit the MCA Board of Directors webpage.