OPPORTUNITIES:

Get On The Roster

BY MEG KAPPLER NCW ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

If this last month had a theme for me personally, it was “trust the process.” If you’ve ever risked stretching out of your comfort zone in a big way, you’re familiar with the effort it takes to muster enough courage to step into the unknown. Once we do, though, we often meet a special mentor with sage advice to help us forge the path. This has been true for the NCW Arts journey. When we started, it didn’t take long before supporters rose up to meet us. Over our seminal first two years, Amanda Jackson Mott, executive director of Methow Arts in Twisp, stands out as one of our strongest allies and champions.

In her 12 years at the helm of Methow Arts, Jackson Mott made change through meaningful programs and initiatives across the region. These included innovative arts education in public schools across Okanogan County; the Youth Arts Initiative, which provides sequential art instruction in both the Methow Valley and in Leavenworth’s Cascade School District; art in public spaces, and vibrant and diverse performance series and events.

We heard recently that she is now

ON THE COVER:

This spring, the Wenatchee Valley College campus bloomed in more ways than one.

Amid WVC’s usual flowering landscape, a free-standing wall sprouted giant balsamroot blossoms — a vivid 25-foot-long mural painted by illustration class students and their instructor, Marlin Peterson.

The six students tackled the oversized art, a two-week project completed on May 22, as an exercise in teamwork. “I find it important to get practice working as a larger team on larger projects like this,” said Marlin.

When asked about the most significant growth opportunities in the arts, Jackson Mott talked about partnership. “It’s imperative that organizational leaders ensure that the Arts are woven into the fabric of our communities and into all sectors. In partnership with local government, public schools, and businesses, the Arts need to be utilized as a tool in planning, creative placemaking and education. It’s our role as leaders to do the hard work, to take time, to listen to community members and to examine what those needs are.”

What’s up next for Amanda Jackson Mott? She is now a consultant, working with other non-profits offering program development, grant writing, and capacity building. She can be reached at amandajacksonmott13@gmail.com. You know we here at NCW Arts will be keeping her contact info handy!

Methow Arts is looking for its next leader. If this type of work is exciting and inspiring to you; if you are ready for a new chapter of your own life and want to be considered as the next Executive Director of Methow Arts, you can email hiring.methowarts@gmail.com for more information.

BEST JOB EVER?

Full or part time work, backstage access to events, lively teammates, flexible scheduling, competitive pay—as the Box Office Manager of Icicle Creek Center for the Arts in Leavenworth you would be

You and your art may be eligible for midterm inclusion on the Washington State Arts Commission’s 2021-2025 Public Artist Roster. The commission lists a diverse range of artists available to create works for hundreds of state agencies, colleges, universities, and public schools throughout Washington state. (Artists currently on the roster do not need to re-apply.) Apply by June 13. See details at arts.wa.gov part of 100+ arts events per year in “the most beautiful place on earth” (ICCA website). Apply immediately; there’s a rolling deadline with employment to begin midsummer 2023. See icicle.org for details.