October 24, 2006

GCAC ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

COLUMBUS, OH The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) announced today that Ohio native Bryan W. Knicely has been named as President of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Knicely, currently Assistant Director and Accessibility Coordinator of the Maine Arts Commission, will begin his work at GCAC in December.

GCAC has an incredible legacy as one of the best city arts councils in the country, and I look forward to moving the organization forward with diplomacy, vision, creativity and dedication, Knicely said. Columbus has so many fantastic organizations dedicated to the arts and culture, and I believe that the greater Columbus area deserves great art. I am always proud to say I am an Ohio native and a former resident of the greater Columbus area, and I am happy for the opportunity to help advance the arts and culture in the place I call home.

The GCAC Board of Trustees approved Knicelys appointment today after an eight-month national search.

Bryans collaborative nature and strong background in strategic planning and management, along with his ties to Columbus, will be an asset to the GCAC and the greater Columbus arts and cultural community, said Mark Corna, GCAC Board Chairman. Were excited to have him join us.

During his six-year tenure at the Maine Arts Commission, which included nine months as the agencys Acting Director, Knicely received two awards from the governor for outstanding leadership and service to the State of Maine, as well as two awards for his marketing and branding campaigns. He assisted in the development of the governors REALIZE! Maine Youth Summit on youth migration. Additionally, he was involved with a statewide conference on Maines creative economy. In addition to maintaining all accessibility policies and features for the Maine Arts Commission, Knicely has directed the agencys international programs and has participated in related arts and cultural responsibilities, including trade missions to France and a partnership exchange with Aomori, Japan. Knicely served as a cultural ambassador to Cuba for the New England Foundation for the Arts cultural mission in conjunction with Havanas Eighth Bienal de la Habana, and he is developing a cultural exchange program with Canada.

Knicely has developed many national connections through his work with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). He hosted NEA Chairman Dana Gioia on a comprehensive two-day tour of Maines arts and cultural assets. Knicely also served as a panelist on the NEAs 2006 State Arts Agencies Partnership Agreement peer-review process. In addition to the NEA, Knicely has worked with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and presented at two if its national conferences, as well as playing an active role with Americans for the Arts as an Arts Action Fund Member.

Knicely graduated from Otterbein College with a Bachelor of Science in management and marketing. In 1996, he received his Master of Arts in arts policy and administration from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining the Maine Arts Commission, Knicely was Chief Financial Officer at Saint Louis Effort for AIDS and Business Manager at the renowned Laumeier Sculpture Park and Museum. He worked as the Marketing Director for The Palace Theatre in Marion and as Special Projects and Development Coordinator for BalletMet Columbus prior to moving to Saint Louis.