Americans For The Arts' State Arts Action Network Council Elects New Leadership

DETROIT, Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, announced the election of Sarah Gonzales Triplett, director of public policy for Creative Many Michigan, and Ann S. Graham, executive director of Texans for the Arts, as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the States Arts Action Network (SAAN) Council. Each will serve a one-year term from July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018.

"I'm delighted to see these talented and dedicated state arts advocacy leaders elected to the leadership of our State Arts Action Network," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of AFTA. "Their leadership in their own states as well as their dedication to supporting the arts nationally serve as a testament and inspiration to others as we collectively work to ensure the arts thrive in America."

Sarah Gonzales Triplett is director of public policy for Creative Many Michigan, a statewide organization dedicated to developing creative people, creative places and the creative economy for a competitive Michigan. Her work focuses on advancing policy and sustainable funding to build support for the creative industries at the state and federal level.

Previously Triplett served as assistant director of communications and community engagement for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and deputy chief of staff at the Office of Michigan Speaker of the House of Representatives. She also serves as chair of the East Lansing Arts Commission and Advocacy Committee for the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan. Triplett earned her bachelor's degree in political science and communications at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

"Witnessing firsthand Sarah's commitment to growing support for Michigan's creative industries, I'm extremely proud to see her leadership acknowledged by advocacy leaders from across the country," said Jennifer H. Goulet, president and CEO of Creative Many Michigan. "At such a critical time for arts advocacy in our nation, I'm thrilled Creative Many Michigan will represent Michigan's leadership at a national level."

Ann S. Graham brings a strong set of leadership skills to her work as Executive Director of Texans for the Arts and Texans for the Arts Foundation, and she has demonstrated a deep passion for the arts and the role they play in building and strengthening our communities. Graham holds a master's degree in arts administration.

AFTA's SAAN includes 53 members from 42 states, including the District of Columbia. Members independently lead their state's arts policy initiatives and gather together to share best practices and advise AFTA's State & Local Government Affairs team on key policy initiatives. This network is crucial in connecting AFTA with state and local constituents.

About Creative Many Michigan
Creative Many Michigan is a statewide organization committed to developing creative people, creative places and the creative economy for a competitive Michigan through research, advocacy, professional practice, funding and communications. For more information, visit www.creativemany.org.

SOURCE Creative Many Michigan

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http://www.creativemany.org