KAAHC Staff
The Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council staff is a hard working, creative team. Our offices are located at the Main Street Gallery at 330 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK. Known now as the Main Street Gallery, our building was built in 1946 as a Christian Science Church and remained so until 2008 when KAAHC purchased and renovated it. Its a great place to create, and to help other create, impactful experiences based on artistry, culture and community surrounded by art, music and dancing.
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Executive Director
My training includes a Bachelor of Music from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Music from the University of Southern California, and Doctoral Work at the University of Maryland, all in Oboe Performance. After playing professionally in orchestras across the country for many years I took up managing them. In 2007 I decided it was time for a grand adventure and I packed what would fit in a U-Haul and drove from Michigan through Canada directly to the Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council. It has been my honor to become part of the Ketchikan community and to help facilitate the direction of this extraordinary organization. I believe the arts are an integral part of who we are as individuals, they help us understand the world, and they can teach us how to treat each other with compassion and respect. The arts in Ketchikan are powerful, nurturing and inspiring and help to make our island even more breathtaking. -
Program Director
As always new staff at the Arts and Humanities Council learn by trial by fire - and for Emma its no different! Emma hit the ground running on her first week, diving right into Winter Arts Faire with grace and style! Originally from Florida, Emma is taking to Ketchikan seamlessly—bringing good energy and genuine care to every encounter. Emma studied marketing and earned her degree in communications from the University of South Florida. She is a jewelry designer and sells her work at her online business: AuraveJewelry.com We’re so excited for you to meet her! -
Interim Administrative Manager
Local artist/boat captain/and Mom Kelsey McNeil joins the KAAHC team as interim administrative manager, trading off seasonally with Santiago. When not at the Arts and Humanities Council Captain Kelsey keeps people alive while driving boats for Lighthouse Excursion, sharing her local expertise and colloquial humor. Kelsey also creates Wearable Art using a variety of materials including lampshades, curtains, bedspreads, stonewashed jeans, and found objects. Her handcrafted jackets can be found at an Art Walk near you! -
Interim Administrative Manager
Santiago joined KAAHC in September of 2023. He brings with him his poetic spirit and a healthy dose of borderline humor! Santiago is an adventuring artist / seasonal worker who has worked with various organizations and enterprises from Juneau to Seattle since calling Southeast Alaska his home in 2010. Santiago has built his own boat, makes amazing hats, and is a top notch administrative manager!!!!More info coming soon!
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Artist Liaison
Artist, writer, Mom to the very first Wearable Baby, community activist, and all around nice gal - Lindsey Johnson has joined the staff at the Arts and Humanities Council! She is enjoying working with artists for the Winter Arts Faire, and the Blueberry Arts Festival. She is building professional development opportunities for local artists to maximize their artist business and to develop themselves as successful creatives. -
Boomer - full time since March, 2022Art Dog - Boomer is opinionated about the finer points of greeting art appreciators, but he is a whiz at giving artwork his respectful attention - and he is an award winning squeaker master!

