What’s New
Executive Director Anastasia Shartin
Rochester, MN – The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) is pleased to announce Anastasia Shartin has been appointed as the new Executive Director by SEMAC’s board of directors. Her position started with SEMAC on June 5th, 2023. Prior to joining SEMAC, Anastasia served as the Visual Arts Director at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI, since 2000.
Anastasia is a community oriented connector, curator, arts programmer, and more. Having worked most recently in a primarily rural place with suburban and urban crossover of artists and audiences, she has experience navigating the nuance of rural-to-urban spaces, similar to that of the SEMAC region. Anastasia came to the midwest initially to work on the staff of the education and curatorial departments at the Walker Art Center. She received a Master of Arts in Curatorial Studies from Bard College in New York and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of California-Berkeley.
Anastasia is an accomplished arts administrator and community-engaged leader with extensive experience developing and successfully managing impactful interdisciplinary programs. Anastasia has a strong desire to help SEMAC support local artists and arts organizations bring their artistic visions to fruition. “Throughout my career, I have worked directly with thousands of artists and performers to plan and produce nearly as many gallery exhibitions, public events, performances, educational programs, partnership projects, and community collaborations,” said Anastasia, continuing with, “I deeply believe engaging with the arts has the power to create positive change in an individual and in society, and it is essential to thriving communities.”
Anastasia has been recognized for her dedication to supporting local and regional artists, as well as for her success creating and sustaining innovative partnerships and inclusive outreach programs. Throughout her 30 year tenure serving in the arts, she was honored with an Arts in the Community award, presented by Arts Wisconsin in partnership with the League of Wisconsin Municipalities in 2012, for championing the arts as integral to economic, educational, and community vitality, and demonstrating exemplary advocacy on behalf of the arts on the local level. She was also a recipient of the St. Croix Watershed Stewardship Award by the St. Croix River Association in 2012 for her work on art projects promoting actions for a healthy river.
Anastasia will work closely with the SEMAC staff and board of directors to help facilitate, promote, and encourage local arts development by providing leadership, outreach, advocacy, mentorship, grants, and services in the eleven counties of the Southeast Region.
“Following an extensive and comprehensive search, I am excited to welcome Anastasia Shartin as the next Executive Director of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. Her exceptional skills as an organizational leader in the arts along with her longstanding commitment to equity and access ties together Anastasia’s and SEMAC’s priorities. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Anastasia in service of arts and culture within our region and beyond,” said SEMAC Board Vice Chair, Kara Maloney. Anastasia will be overlapping during the month of June with Robin Pearson to ensure continuity and organizational stability.
Updates to Grant Eligibility
Recipients of Individual Artist Grants who are in good standing are eligible to reapply every fiscal year. Also, there are no longer major funder restrictions on Advancing Artists.
For FY2024, no matching funds will be required for Organizational Grants.
Misuse of SEMAC Funds
The Regional Arts Councils’ Misuse of Funds Procedure applies to all grants funded by the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota Legacy Amendment or Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
All Grantees are required to acknowledge that they reviewed the SEMAC Misuse of Funds Procedure when signing their contracts. Be advised that there are tiered consequences for misuse of funds based on the grant amounts and the Grantee’s actions.