P.S. Arts Announces Dr. Kristen Paglia as Chief Executive Officer
Venice, CA (PRWEB) January 28, 2015 -- Dr. Paglia has served in a leadership role at P.S. ARTS for six years, most recently holding the title of Executive Director, Education & Programs.
“After a thorough selection process, we are very excited to welcome Kristi in this new capacity as CEO,” explains P.S. ARTS Board Chairperson, Joshua B. Tanzer. “With over two decades experience in the arts and public education, Dr. Paglia is well suited to lead the organization in this next phase of development and leadership in the field.”
Started 25 years ago in direct response to education budget cuts that resulted in the drastic elimination of arts programs in California public schools, P.S. ARTS developed from the vision of educator and Crossroads School founder Paul Cummins and funding from musician and philanthropist Herb Alpert. P.S. ARTS has been on a dramatic growth trajectory, incorporating fifteen new schools and acquiring the national award winning Inside Out Community Arts program in the last year alone. President of the Herb Alpert Foundation and P.S. ARTS board member, Rona Sebastian, expresses her enthusiasm for the organization’s progress, saying, "We acknowledge with deep gratification and pride how PS Arts has evolved over these many years to become one of the nation's premiere, ground-breaking arts instruction programs."
“I am honored to take on this leadership position at P.S. ARTS, and believe that this role will provide an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in our approach to public education in the way we support young people in navigating the challenges of their daily lives, and prepare them to be the innovators and leaders of the future,” adds Dr. Paglia.
Dr. Paglia holds a doctorate in developmental psychology from Harvard University and is a sought after lecturer and professional consultant, lending her expertise to broad-scale arts education efforts such as the U.S. President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities Turnaround Arts initiative, and the development of the California Department of Education’s Blueprint for Creative Schools. Dr. Paglia also teaches courses at UCLA and Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. Paglia is looking forward to continuing the work that recently earned P.S. ARTS the honor of the national Americans for the Arts “Arts Education Award”, which recognizes and celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of national leaders who are advancing the arts in the United States. In addition, P.S. ARTS, along with students from the Lucille J. Smith Elementary School in Lawndale, CA, was invited by the President of the United States Committee on the Arts and Humanities to model an exemplar art project that teaches 4th grade math concepts. First Lady Michelle Obama presided over the Fair, which showcased schools and arts organizations from across the country.
About P.S. ARTS:
P.S. ARTS’ mission is to improve the lives of children by providing art education to underserved public schools and communities. It is the only organization in Southern and Central California that provides yearlong art education in dance, visual arts, music, and theatre arts to every child in a school during the regular school day. For more information, please visit http://www.psarts.org.
Caroline Graham, C4 Global Communications, http://www.c4global.com, +1 (310) 899-2727, [email protected]
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