Charron named chair of Minnesota State Arts Board

Michael J. Charron, dean of the School of the Arts, has been named chair of the Minnesota State Arts Board.

He was appointed to the state arts board by Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2008.

“This is an especially important year for the State Arts Board and our Regional Arts Councils,” said Charron. “The arts is a billion-dollar industry in our state. We are talking about an industry that not only enriches lives, but is also vital to our state’s economy. With the recent passage of the constitutional amendment to support our natural resources and cultural heritage here in Minnesota, I feel a great responsibility to make sure that those tax dollars are spent in the most efficient and effective way possible for the good of all Minnesotans throughout our state.”

The Minnesota State Arts Board attempts to enrich the quality of life in Minnesota by making the arts accessible to all citizens, nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression and preserving the state’s diverse artistic heritage. The board provides grants and services to individual artists, arts organizations, schools, colleges and universities, communities and other organizations that sponsor arts activities. The board is made up of 11 members appointed by the governor. One member is selected from each of the state’s eight congressional districts; three members represent the state at large. Members serve four-year terms.