Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga announces 24 graduates completed its seventh class in the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute.
The purpose of the institute is to develop arts volunteers and board members for arts organizations.
Launched in 2005 in memory of arts advocate A. William Holmberg Jr., the institute offers behind-the-scenes site visits to cultural and educational institutions, case studies of arts agencies, panel discussions with community leaders, and a forum for pursuing shared goals among arts leaders, business leaders, educators and philanthropic foundations.
During the eight sessions in the course, participants heard speakers Ruth Holmberg, state Sen. Andy Berke, Councilwoman Pam Ladd, Pete Cooper, Marc Goldring, Melanie Layne, Ellen Hays, Jim Hill, Alison Lebovitz, Ann Coulter, Jason Taylor, Sarah Morgan and Karen Rudolph and Brother Ron Fender.
The class visited the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Chattanooga Ballet, Creative Discovery Museum, the Hunter Museum of American Art, H*Art Gallery, Signal Centers, Normal Park Museum Magnet and Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts.
Participation in the institute is open to area residents who have demonstrated support and advocacy for the arts and who have made a commitment to making a difference in the quality of life in the community.
Graduates in the 2011 class were Matthew Nassar, Philip Byrum, Robyn Carlton, Melony Collins, Missy Elliott, Rosabelle Gorman, Donyale Grove, Andrea Hardee, Paula Henderson, Rachael Henderson and Josh Hildebrandt.
Also, Bryan Kelly, Will Lassetter, Wanda Lee, Claudia Moore, Michael Oertle, Bob Schellhammer, Julie Schoomaker, Catherine Stetson, Angela Stoudemire, Kristi Strode, Linda Thompson, Abigail Tilley and Billy Weeks.