WHO WE ARE
The Grinnell Area Arts Council is a non-profit organization serving the community of Grinnell, Iowa. Our organization was founded in 1979 with the mission to enrich the community by supporting creative expression. To fulfill this mission, we offer a diverse portfolio of arts programming to community members of all ages and backgrounds.
We are the administrative heart for a number of programs, including Grinnell Community Theatre, Turlach Ur Pipe Band, Grinnell Community Band, Music in the Park and more, as well as our own educational arts programming. We operate two physical locations, the Grinnell Arts Center (926 Broad Street) and the Stew Makerspace (927 Broad Street), housing creative, gallery, and performance spaces.
Staff
Lauren Emge
Youth Education Coordinator lauren@grinnellarts.org
Lauren Emge is an Iowa native, recently returned to Grinnell. She received her degrees in Art History and Painting from St. Ambrose University in 2018 and has worked in gallery settings and as a traveling art class instructor. She currently also serves as a market manager for the Grinnell Farmer’s Market.
Alesia Lacina
Graphics & Education info@grinnellarts.org
Alesia holds a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, as well as an MA in Drawing and an MFA in Painting. She has led arts education for children and adults in the area for more than 15 years, including leading the Studio 6 Afterschool Arts Program and instructing painting at Grinnell College. Alesia has created costumes and sets for community theater in Grinnell for 30 years.
Craig Gibbens
Program Manager craig@grinnellarts.org
Craig (he/him) is a Kansas native and Grinnell College alum (Psychology) who has lived and worked in the area for over 20 years. In addition to performing in Grinnell Community Theater shows, his background includes customer/donor relations, marketing, program development and administration, and process evaluation.
Monica St. Angelo
Director of Operations monica@grinnellarts.org
Monica (she/her) grew up training at the Kansas City Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater schools. Since moving to Grinnell in 1999, she has taught ballet at Grinnell College, choreographed for Grinnell Community Theatre, and owned her own yoga studio. She holds a BA in History from the University of Wisconsin and has worked in academic and development offices at Grinnell College and Brown University.