Policy Council

The Alliance’s Policy Council is composed of allied partners from education, business, arts and parent organizations. Working in conjunction with the Board of Directors, it is charged with authoring the Vision Framework [PDF: 116KB] and recommending annual Strategic Priorities, which guide the work of the California Alliance. By engaging a broad cross section of stakeholders, this enables Alliance to focus on the most pressing issues and concerns facing arts education at the state and local levels.

Membership in the Policy Council is open to all organizations that have an ability to mobilize people and advocate on behalf of arts education. The goal is to build a Policy Council that has a balanced representation among education, business, arts and parent organizations. There is an annual fee for participation on the Policy Council. The fee covers the cost of participation and provides general operating support for the Alliance’s programs and services. The Policy Council meets twice annually, rotating between Northern and Southern California. For more information, email [email protected].

Policy Council

SARAH ANDERBERGDirectorCCSESA Arts InitiativeSacramento
NANCY ANDRZEJCZAKPresidentCalifornia Art Education Association (CAEA)Corona
DONNA ARTUKOVICLegislative Advocate, EducationCalifornia State PTASan Francisco
JAMES BENANTILiaisonCalifornia Teachers AssociationRedlands
SARAH BROTHERSArts Education ManagerArts Council Santa Cruz CountySanta Cruz
PEGGY BURT
Executive DirectorThe California State Summer School Arts FoundationPasadena
RAY CAGANArts Learning CoordinatorAlameda County Office of EducationHayward
TOM DECAIGNY*Cultural Affairs DirectorSan Francisco Arts CommissionSan Francisco
CELESTE DEWALD
Executive DirectorCalifornia Association of Museums
Santa Cruz
ERIC ENGDAHLAssistant Professor, Department of Teacher EducationCSU East Bay 
Arts Education InitiativeSan Rafael
BRAD ERICKSONRepresentativeCalifornians for the ArtsSan Francisco
DENISE GRANDEDirector of Arts EducationArts for AllLos Angeles
EMILY HALL*President/CEOOlive Grove ConsultingBelmont
ED HONOWITZ*Education Policy AdvisorSenator Carol Liu, 25th Senate DistrictGlendale
CAROL HOVEYPast PresidentCalifornia Educational Theater Association (CETA)Ojai
PENNI HUDIS
Director for Pathway and Curriculum DevelopmentConnectEdBerkeley
SOFIA KLATZKERExecutive DirectorArts for LALos Angeles
JESSICA KRONENBERGPresident
California Dance Education Association (CDEA)
Los Angeles
JESSICA MELEExecutive DirectorPerforming Arts WorkshopSan Francisco
JACK MITCHELL**Secondary Arts Consultant
California Department of Education (CDE)Sacramento
KRIS MURRAYExecutive DirectorYoung Audiences of Northern CaliforniaSan Francisco
REBECCA NEVAREZExecutive DirectorLatino Arts NetworkPasadena
KRISTEN PAGLIAExecutive DirectorP.S. Arts
Los Angeles
LINDA PARZYCHEducation Marketing Manager,
Western Region
Crayola, LLCSan Francisco
FRANCES PHILLIPSProgram DirectorWalter and Elise Haas FundSan Francisco
ALEC RAFFINExecutive DirectorStreetside StoriesSan Francisco
CARL SCHAFERMusic Consultant
San Bernardino County Music Educators AssociationUpland
SANDY SEUFERTAdvisor at LargeTeaching Artist Support Collaborative of California (TASC)Los Angeles
MARK SLAVKIN*Vice President, EducationMusic Center Los Angeles CountyLos Angeles
ROBERT SMILANDCEOInner-City ArtsLos Angeles
MIKE STONEPresidentCalifornia Association for Music Education (CMEA)Sweetwater
BILL THOMPSON
Executive DirectorYoung Storytellers FoundationLos Angeles
WILLIAM TISDALE*OwnerWats AssociatesLos Angeles

JEFFRY WALKER

Trustee

National Guild for Community Arts Education

New York City

CRAIG WATSONDirectorCalifornia Arts CouncilSacramento

* California Alliance Board 
 ** Government Agency Liaison

Revised 04/21/15