Who We Are
Staff
Brian Foote (he/him) (Director of Arts and Culture, City of Northampton/Executive Director, Northampton Arts Inc.) has worked in retail, sales, education, banking, business development, marketing, fundraising, venue management, and event production. He attended Bard College and graduated with a B.A., double majoring in Political Studies and Latin America-Iberian Studies. He received an M.A. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in Political Science, focusing on Comparative Politics. He is a dedicated community member with a passion for making positive change.
Steve Sanderson (he/him) (Arts Events Producer) is the son of Harold and Judith Sanderson. He is the frontman and one of the founding members of Northampton's own Drunk Stuntmen, a songwriter, and an all-around international man of mystery. He also works as the morning radio host of WRSI 93.9 The River. "Your time is the most precious thing you have, so how you spend your time is the most important decision you can make.”
Peter McQuillan (he/him) (Assistant Producer) is a 5th generation Northampton native with a BA in the Arts from Eugene Lang College, the New School for Liberal Arts. He is a musician, radio producer, DJ, and promoter focusing on the intersection of arts & ecology. Peter is an active part of the western Massachusetts underground DIY music scene, which creates alternative spaces, brings people together for independent art events, and, in turn, fosters community.
Current Council Members:
Eamonn Edge
Garrett Williams, Clerk/Secretary
William McGhee
Anna VA Polesny, suspended
Kaye Carroll, Chair
Alyona Skripka
Ron Smith
Michael Brown
Indë Francis
Jen Polins
Kit Pedraza
Current Northampton Arts Inc. Board Members:
Arts and Management: George Myers (President)- George W. Myers graduated from Umass Amherst with a degree in History and a minor in African American Studies. He co-owns The Quarters a vintage arcade, restaurant, and bar in Hadley, MA, and is General Manager and Special Event Programmer at Amherst Cinema a 4-screen non-profit Arthouse theater in Amherst, MA. George also spends time as a DJ and writing for his music blog which focuses on soul music.
Printmaking and Exhibitions: Esther White (Vice President) is an artist and arts organizer based in Northampton, MA. Esther's art practice includes printmaking; textile dyeing and needlework; publishing photocopied artists' books and zines, and organizing community art events and spaces.
Arts and Community: Kathy Service (Clerk) our past co-Chair has long been an avid arts supporter and works not only for the Arts Council but has worked for almost every other arts organization in Northampton. She has been co-Chair of First Night, organizing over 150 volunteers. She retired from the State Department of Mental Retardation and has involved many of her clients in our programs, as actors, volunteers, and audience members.
Arts and Curation: Danielle Amodeo (she/hers) oversees Communications and Public Programming at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College. She received her Bachelor's Degree in European Studies from Amherst College and her Master’s Degree in Art History at Williams College. Danielle has worked in communications, education, programming, and outreach at Clark Institute of Art, Creative Time, Dentsu Aegis Network, Frick Collection, Teen Vogue, and New York City Council. She serves on the boards of the Amherst Center Cultural District, the Arts at Amherst Initiative, and the Northampton Arts Council. Danielle believes that art is for everyone and is devoted to working for equity and representation at museums and cultural institutions.
Eamonn Edge (Treasurer)
Arts Council Meeting Schedule
Arts Council meetings occur on the second Tuesday of each month on Zoom and in the City Hall Hearing Room at 210 Main Street from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Please visit this page for the agenda and minutes. The agenda will contain the Zoom link to the meetings.