(Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Akron Area Arts Alliance.)
Sandy Kreisman, an arts administrator with 30 years' experience in leadership positions, has been named as the interim executive director of the Akron Area Arts Alliance (AAAA).
Kreisman served previously as a grants officer for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, arts education program coordinator for the New Hampshire Arts Council, and the founding director of the McDonough Museum of Art at Youngstown State University. Most recently, she served as manager of education initiatives for University Circle Inc. in Cleveland.
She received a bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in studio art and art history from the University of Maryland and an master's degree in arts management from the University of Illinois-Springfield, where she was a National Endowment for the Arts Graduate Fellow.
Founded in 1991, AAAA is the collaborative voice of Greater Akron's non-profit arts and cultural community. Its members include more than 50 arts and culture organizations and individual arts advocates in Summit, Portage, and Medina counties.
"Sandy shares AAAA's belief that a strong, diverse and vibrant arts and culture community is essential to our region's quality of life, economic development, and appeal," said AAAA President Margo Snider. "She will help to lead AAAA as we continue to develop our vibrant and vital role as the leading advocacy organization for arts and culture in our community. Kreisman stated, " I am looking forward to building capacity and arts leadership in the region in partnership with the organizational members."
Kreisman began her duties July 1, following the retirement of Jessie Raynor, AAAA's director since 1999. She will direct the daily operations of AAAA and its Summit Artspace at 140 E. Market St. in downtown Akron. In addition to housing AAAA's offices, Summit Artspace is a gallery, community arts center, and creative business center.
She also will be instrumental with AAAA's strategic efforts in coming months to determine how the organization should develop in the future to best achieve its aspirations and benefit the arts community. She may be reached at 330-376-8480 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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