state arts action network

Council

2005–2006 Roster

Alene Valkanas

Alene Valkanas is a national leader in arts advocacy and education. For 20 years, Ms.Valkanas has directed the Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation and its sister organization, the Illinois Arts Alliance, developing a number of innovative programs and research projects. She is co-chair of the State Arts Action Network, an officer of the Donors Forum of Chicago, and a founding board member and officer of the Washington-based Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest. A national campaign to promote reauthorization of the National Endowment for the Arts, produced under her direction, received the Government Relations Award of Excellence from the American Society of Association Executives in 1990. In June 1994, she received the Double Emmy Arts Award from Mostly Music, in recognition of her contribution to the cultural life of Chicago. Ms Valkanas’s work at the Alliance was preceded by 14 years in public relations, program development, and cultural affairs, as well as by several years as an educator in the field of English and art at the secondary-school level. She holds an M.A.T. in art education from the University of Chicago. Her most recent initiative, Arts Leadership for the 21st Century, is an outgrowth of her respect for the people who dedicate themselves to building strong organizations and her interest in promoting the work of the arts community as a model for other parts of the nonprofit sector.