About
Who We Are
Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) began in 1963, founded by a grassroots group of passionate community leaders to help organize and support the community’s arts activities. In 1981 the then volunteer team incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to accept donations and apply for grants to grow its breadth of services.
Today ACNV is a professionally-run organization designated as Napa county’s agency, executing services countywide through professional staff and expert program consultants.
Our primary focus is increasing public access to the arts. We do this a number of ways, including supporting our creative industries, through advocacy efforts, programming and public will building.
We participate in advocacy efforts on behalf of the arts community that include both policy level initiatives as well as efforts to increase available funding. We also advocate for public access to the arts within our community, including encouraging programming for underserved audiences, working to remove financial, accessibility and cultural barriers for public participation in the arts, and increasing arts education availability.
We serve as an industry catalyst, providing a centralized location to find industry information, funding opportunities, workshop trainings, a comprehensive artist directory for all walks of the creative industry and artist networking events.
Mission
Arts Council Napa Valley provides leadership that unites, supports, and enhances our exceptional arts and culture community.
Vision
Throughout Napa County the arts are celebrated, fostering a cultural center that inspires the world.
Values
Innovation. Inclusivity. Collaboration. Integrity. Strategy. Fun.
Staff

Christopher DeNatale
President & Chief Executive Officer

Crysta Tim
Programs & Administration Associate

Karen Provenza
Education Alliance Co-Coordinator

Lisa Sullivan
Education Alliance Co-Coordinator
Board of Directors
Arts Council Napa Valley’s board of directors represent a diverse cross-section of Napa County’s local arts, business, education, and community leadership. Together the board of directors are responsible for governing the organization through financial oversight, strategic vision, and policy – guiding ACNV’s direction for advocacy and services in the community, relevant to the current and future needs of the arts.
Arts Council seeks a wide range of candidates who reflect the diverse landscape of Napa County through an open call for nominations. All nominees must be a resident of or employed in Napa County. Self-nominations are welcome. Annually, new directors are elected by a majority vote of seated board members at the June meeting.
If you are interested in serving on the board, please download the application and review responsibilities packet for further information. Contact our CEO at chris@artscouncilnv.org to ask questions or set up an informational interview.

Colleen Schulman
Chair, Arts Council Napa Valley
Chief Philanthropy Officer, PBS KVIE

Geoff Hansen
Vice Chair & Secretary, Arts Council Napa Valley
Landscape Photographer, Retired Attorney

Robert Parker
Treasurer, Arts Council Napa Valley
Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Admin. Services at Napa Valley College

Richard Hall
Past Chair, Arts Council Napa Valley
Chief Financial Officer, Lede Family Wines

Whitney Diver McEvoy
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
President & CEO, Yountville Chamber of Commerce

Bill Gantt
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Former NVUSD Music Teacher, Musician, Composer

Anne Mullaney
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Sales Director, Vesta Home

Vincent Piombo
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Partner, Aperture Media + Design

Brad Wagenknecht
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Napa County Supervisor, District 1

Philippa Ward
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Global Real Estate Advisor, Engel & Völkers

Adam L. Wiedmann
Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Sculptor
Join The Board
Board Roles and Responsibilities
‘Join a Committee’ If you are interested in serving as a non-board member of an Arts Council committee, please contact the current board chair for more information about responsibilities and openings.
Marketing Committee: Chair, Cathi Wastal
Advocacy Committee: Chair, Bill Gantt
Organizational Sustainability Committee: Chair, Whitney Diver-McEvoy
Review our Bylaws