[OregonArts] Brian Wagner Joins Oregon Arts Commission Staff

[Christine T DARCY]

Brian Wagner Joins Oregon Arts Commission as Community Arts Development
Coordinator 

Brian Wagner has joined the staff of the Oregon Arts Commission as
Community Arts Development Coordinator.  

For eleven years, Wagner was the Executive Director of the Durango
(Colorado) Arts Center, a focal point for the arts in southwest
Colorado, with a 41-year-history of providing an array of exhibits,
performances, and educational programs.  While in Colorado, Wagner was
also a board member for Arts for Colorado; appointed by Governor Bill
Ritter to the Colorado Education and Cultural Facilities Authority; and
served on the Colorado Council on the Arts’ Peer Assistant Network. A
classically trained guitarist, Wagner also taught in the Fort Lewis
College music department. 

Brian Wagner and his family lived in Portland from 1982 – 1995 where
he chaired the music department at Marylhurst University and performed
and taught classical guitar. He holds a Bachelor of Music in classical
guitar performance from the University of Arizona and a Master of Music
from Lewis and Clark College. He recently completed the Executive
Program for Nonprofit Leaders in the Arts at Stanford University’s
graduate school for business.

“I am delighted to join the Arts Commission as it works to advance
understanding of how arts and culture enhance lives and play an
important role in shaping the identity and economic opportunities of
communities across Oregon,” said Wagner about his new position.

Brian Wagner can be reached at (503) 986-0083 or
brian.wagner at state.or.us 
       
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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts
programs through its grants, special initiatives and services.   Nine
commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and
establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission
became part of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department
in 1993 in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the
broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. 
In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon
Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and
making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and
cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the
Oregon legislature, federal funds from the National Endowment for the
Arts and funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

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