Erin Harkey, who helped information the town’s post-pandemic cultural reopening, has been picked to steer one of many nation’s main arts advocacy nonprofits.
Harkey is about to develop into CEO of Individuals for the Arts on the finish of March, the Washington, D.C.-based company introduced Wednesday.
“Together with the AFTA board of administrators, I’m thrilled that Erin has accepted the function as our new CEO within the subsequent stage of our journey,” Edgar Smith, chairman of the AFTA’s board, stated in a written assertion.
“The facility on the earth right now is in networks. Erin is the suitable chief to serve, advance, and lead the community of organizations and people who domesticate, promote, maintain and assist the humanities in America by means of advocacy, analysis, convening and collaboration.”
The humanities group highlighted Harkey’s 20 years of working in nonprofit and authorities sectors, and added that her expertise can be precious “amid ongoing threats to federal funding for applications like the humanities and variety applications.”
“I’m honored to steer this historic establishment at such a pivotal second for arts and tradition in America,” Harkey stated in a press release. “All through my profession working with native arts businesses and cultural organizations, AFTA has been a useful useful resource, offering the analysis, instruments, and advocacy assist important to our discipline.
“Now, by uniting our nationwide community of native arts businesses and leveraging these trusted assets, I’m excited to drive transformation, strengthen collaboration, and champion innovation as we construct stronger, extra vibrant communities by means of the humanities.”
In November 2021, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Harkey to steer the Division of Cultural Affairs and Particular Occasions at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic had shut down theaters, dwell music and Chicago’s myriad festivals and particular occasions. She slowly introduced these occasions again to life, with the annual Blues Fest returning in full final summer season and a full-out Air and Water Present in 2022.
On the similar time, Harkey initiated the Sueños Competition in Grant Park, a two-day Latin Reggaeton occasion that has develop into a preferred staple on the music scene.
She additionally shortened Style of Chicago to a bite-sized, three-day occasion in July in Grant Park — preceded by three neighborhood Saturdays in June — to minimize the drain on diminishing police assets and promote what she referred to as arts fairness. Below Lightfoot, she additionally performed a task in bringing NASCAR racing to downtown Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson ousted Harkey in February 2024, as he assembled his staff.
