Arts Advisory Panel
The Arts Advisory Panel is comprised of representatives from each of the five artistic disciplines of Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts, as well as generalists who demonstrate strong involvement in support of the arts in the SEMAC region. The Panel is responsible for reviewing grant applications and making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. See Grant Review for more information on the role of the Arts Advisory Panel.
Assembled through an open nomination process, panelists are appointed by the Board of Directors based on their artistic expertise and critical skills in their respective disciplines. To nominate someone for a term on the Arts Advisory Panel, contact the SEMAC office.
Interested in serving on the panel yourself? Go to your account on the grant interface and complete the form called SEMAC Services Opportunities to tell us a little about your background and how you would prefer to be contacted.
Listed by artistic discipline, the current Arts Advisory Panelists are
| Discipline | Panelist | Background |
| Dance | Jamie Schwaba | experienced professional musical theatre performer/educator. Holds a theatre degree and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Certification, as well as art administration experience. |
| Dance | Jennie Autonoe | background and training in visual arts and literary arts as well as dance, Northfield Arts Build Education and Engagement Manager. |
| Dance | Cynthia Neth | Founder of Krum Salabak Khmer M’Kut Meas (KSKMM) dance troupe that celebrates Cambodian culture. |
| Literary Arts | Beth Nienow | accomplished musician and literary artist with advanced degrees in literature and educational leadership, as well as past SEMAC service |
| Music | David Kassler | professional musician with experience in performance, conducting and composition, recipient of a SEMAC Individual Artist Grant to compose and perform chamber music |
| Music | Martha Chancellor | amateur musician, percussionist and co-manager Austin MN Symphony Orchestra, member League of American Orchestras and The Fellowship (UMC church musicians) |
| Music | Benjamin Downs | Executive and Artistic Director, Fesler-Lampert Performing Arts Series, holds doctorates in Theory and History of Music from Stony Brook, and Piano Performance from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music |
| Theatre | Eileen Moeller | Managing Director, Frozen River Film Festival, co-founder of ArtFarm MN, works to support artist and community collaborations |
| Theatre | James Douglass | Founding director/board member, Absolute Theatre, with 30 years experience in acting, directing, design, stage management and marketing at theatres throughout Minnesota |
| Visual Arts | Dave Casey | assistant curator of education and exhibitions at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, freelance musician performing with a variety of groups across multiple genres |
| Visual Arts | Julie Fakler | operations manager at Paradise Center for the Arts, committee and participating artist South Central MN Studio Artour, six-year veteran of SEMAC Board of Directors |
| Visual Arts | Amarama Vercnocke | mixed media artist, art director for Day of the Dead Poet Slam, participant in several juried and solo exhibitions |
| Generalist | Robbie Brokken | ceramic and jewelry artist, previous gallery director, Lanesboro Arts, degree from Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC |
| Generalist | Steve Dietz | retired from Northern Lights mn after a career focused on the arts and fine arts publishing, now working to support local artists and arts organizations |
| Generalist | Ivete Martinez | visual artist, board member, Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative, founder and director, Med City Art Festival, former board member, SEMVA |
| Generalist | Gretchen Ramlo | arts enthusiast, boards of Austin Area Commission for the Arts and Riverland Foundation, volunteers for the ArtWorks Festival and Spruce Up Austin |