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.

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. 

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.

Monica St. Angelo

Executive Director monica@grinnellarts.org
Monica (she/her) is a classically trained dancer, who studied at the Kansas City Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, among others. 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.

Board of Directors

Kabenla Armah, VP and Secretary

Software Developer, Rancho Biosciences

Sig Barber, Treasurer

Professor of German Studies, Emeritus, Grinnell College

Chris Hunter

Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, Grinnell College

Alicia Carradus

Art and TAG Teacher, Grinnell High School

Tom Lacina, President

Attorney, Charnetski, Lacina & Follette, LLP

Nancy Rempel-Clower

Associate Professor of Psychology, Grinnell College

Mary Lindberg

Financial Assistant, Cirks Financial

Lee Smith

Textiles Instructor, Artist Market Manager

Bill Menner

CEO, The Bill Menner Group

Jane Mertens

Library Cataloging Assistant, Grinnell College