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Jones Takes the Reins at IAC
Mary
Sundet Jones has been named the new division administrator of the Iowa Arts Council.
Mary has been a familiar face around the IAC offices for over a year, working
first as the Arts Education Coordinator, and for the past six months as interim
division administrator.
Mary brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. She has more than 20 years experience in nonprofit and state government project leadership and has managed grant programs and technical assistance projects for state agencies in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa.
With her feet already wet in the workings of both the Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs organizations, Mary has set her administrative goals on balancing processes and encouraging different ways of thinking.
“The Iowa Arts Council is an incredibly vibrant, exciting place to be,” Mary says. “We have a dedicated, creative staff and a state full of wonderful artists and arts activities for Iowans. It’s my goal to balance reliable, accountable grant-making processes with the elasticity we need to respond to change and seek opportunities in unexpected places. There is much to do!”
As a consultant, speaker, or grant review panelist, Mary has worked with arts and arts education initiatives across the Midwest. Her experience includes managing school/arts partnering programs and statewide professional development initiatives for the Perpich Center for Arts Education (a Minnesota state agency), managing federal and state social service grant programs in South Dakota, and providing business skills training to self-employed artists in St. Paul, Minn. Mary is a native Iowan and a graduate of Luther College in Decorah.
"Mary's experience and background were a natural fit for this position,"
said Anita Walker, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. "We're
happy to see her in this leadership role and are excited for what the future holds
for the Iowa Arts Council under her direction."
