The Seattle Arts Commission has two new members joining its ranks: Terri Hiroshima and Philmon Haile. Hiroshima was a Mayor Mike McGinn appointment and Haile was appointed through the “Get Engaged” program, which is a partnership program between the City of Seattle and the YMCA which places emerging leaders on public boards and commissions.
A Puget Sound resident since 1992, Terri Hiroshima has worked in Seattle’s non-profit sector for more than 18 years. She is currently Director of Marketing & External Relations at Crosscut Public Media, a civics-based online news outlet that focuses on in-depth coverage of Northwest issues. Her background in the arts includes marketing and communications roles at Seattle Theatre Group, Empty Space Theatre and One Reel. She holds a BS in Public Relations from Boston University and has completed Seattle’s Leadership Tomorrow program.
Hiroshima is filling the remainder of a two-year term that was vacated early. The term will last until Dec.31, 2012, when she will be up for reappointment. Commissioners may serve up to three two-year terms.
Philmon Haile, now a junior in college, was born in Sudan. His parents were both soldiers in the Eritrean War of Independence and sought refuge in the United States, where they moved when Haile was three. He started his undergraduate studies at Swarthmore College and recently transferred to the University of Washington where he is studying International Studies and Anthropology with a concentration in China studies. He is passionate about equal access to education. Trusting art as powerful instrument for change, Haile is interested in exploring the intersection between art and social justice and the role of art in social movements. Haile’s term as the “Get Engaged” member of the Seattle Arts Commission is for one year.
Photo: courtesy of Terri Hiroshima