Co-Leadership!


We are excited to announce The Art Garage is moving to a shared leadership model. Abi Ostendorf (Former Associate Director) and Katie Moran (Former Executive Director) will be Co-Executive Directors! They are stepping into this new role as veterans of the organization, both having a deep understanding of the importance of art education and creative self expression in the lives of others. Katie has been the Executive Director since 2012 when the organization first became a nonprofit. She has established The Art Garage as a leading arts education community center in the Denver metro area. She has been instrumental in creating programming, developing a solid staff, and she has been instrumental in raising funds that have elevated The Art Garage’s ability to offer such outstanding programs. Abi started with The Art Garage in 2016 as a studio assistant working daily in the classroom to support our students and teachers.  She has demonstrated exemplary service to the organization over the years. In 2018, Abi became the Associate Director working directly with staff, contractors, community partners and with Katie to develop year round programming for people of all ages.  She has filled in as the interim Executive Director while Katie was on maternity leave and impressively shepherded The Art Garage through last summer’s programming during the pandemic, keeping students and staff safe while providing much needed art programming for our community. In her new role as Co-Executive Director, Abi will work directly in collaboration with Katie and the committed Board of Directors, staff, clients, community partners and all stakeholders to continue to grow visual art programing and bring the gift of creative expression to others. She will continue to maintain and support the operational strength of the organization to ensure the highest quality of programming is delivered. Co-leadership provides stability for the organization as a whole as well as for co-leaders themselves. Together Abi and Katie can support each other in this role and model a more inclusive and cooperative form of leadership. Please join me in welcoming them into this new role!  2020 has shown the resilience of The Art Garage and the support it has from the community. We look forward to what the future will bring for the organization under their leadership. Pam Sweetser, The Art Garage Board Chair

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