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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

Chris DeNatale has worked for 20 years in the areas of Event Production, PR, Media Marketing, Non-Profit Leadership, Fund Raising, Venue Management and Audience Development. He has worked for CBS, iHeartMedia, Granite Broadcasting, Entercom Communications, Cumulus Radio, and The SF Media Company where he rose to the position of Vice President of Integrated Marketing. He has also held the position of Marketing Director for City Winery Napa, a national music venue, ArtistWorks, an online music learning start-up, and at Lincoln Theater where he was promoted to the position of Foundation Director. He most recently served as the Marketing & Events Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley. He has produced events with and for Live Nation, This Is My Brave, Symphony Napa Valley, the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco Giants, San Jose SaberCats and the Oakland Athletics. He is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College of California with a degree in English and Communication. He currently serves as Chair of the Napa County Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, is a former member of the City of Napa Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and is a graduate of Leadership Napa Valley Class 30. He lives in Napa with his wife Julia and three children all of who are active participants in the performing arts in Napa County.

Crysta Tim

Programs & Administration Associate

Crysta has been immersed in the arts since she was a child. She has taken classes for and personally explored many art mediums over the years. For most of her adolescent years, she was living in Napa, so she feels a strong personal connection to the community. She graduated with a BA in English from CSU, Sacramento in 2019 and is excited to be able to use her combined knowledge of arts and language to be able to benefit the artistic community of Napa Valley through her position as the Programs and Administration Associate.

Karen Provenza

Education Alliance Co-Coordinator

Karen Provenza comes to the Arts Education Alliance uniquely qualified to guide our marketing efforts. Not only is she an experienced arts educator, she has over twenty years experience in television production and marketing. She was responsible for a multi-million branding campaign for Warner Bros. Television and, as creative director at KOFYTV20, oversaw the production of the San Francisco Pride Parade, Bay Area Music Awards as well as mayoral and gubernatorial debates. Prior to that, she anchored the news with Frank Somerville at KFTY-TV50 in Santa Rosa. Once her daughter was launched, Karen was free to follow her first love, teaching. For the past fourteen years, she’s worked for NVUSD, earning recognition for co-designing a fully integrated visual and performing arts freshmen language arts curriculum for New Technology High. She has also taught creative writing and photography courses. An accomplished short story writer, Karen has recently begun to explore the visual arts. Most afternoons you’ll find her in her garage experimenting with different mediums. Friends–many former students–often join her in what has become a neighborhood art space.

Lisa Sullivan

Education Alliance Co-Coordinator

Lisa Sullivan comes to the ACNV with over 40 years of dedicated experience in the arts world. At the age of four she first started training and performing, inspired by Shirley Temple and Bo Jangles. Her devotion to the art of dance has never wavered. The past 30 years have been dedicated to teaching and choreographing in both the private and public sector, as well as the professional world. As a competitive dance coach she has guided her teams to 7 National First Place Titles, among hundreds of State and Local Awards, Trophies and Recognitions. Lisa just celebrated her 20th year as the Dance Director at Vintage High School. In more recent years her career has evolved and taken on the shape of research and leadership. She has eagerly served as both Professional Learning Community Leader and Department Leader for the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Vintage High School and holds a position on the Napa Valley Unified School District Arts in Education Leadership Team. Lisa was an instrumental key player in the construction, development and approval of the NVUSD Board adopted Arts in Education Master Plan. By doing so, was honored with the Recognition of Excellence Award by both the State and National Congress. Her passion and love of everything Dance has in recent years carved a pathway  toward Advocacy in Art and Curriculum. She has appeared as a guest speaker on several accounts advocating for arts educational access and equality for all public eduction students. Lisa knows that joining the ACNV is the perfect next step in her journey to support  youth and art. She is thrilled to be a part of such a phenomenal Organization and hopes to live up to the ACNV’s expectation. Lisa’s long term goal is to see the NVUSD Arts Master Plan realized in full.

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

Colleen Schulman

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

Colleen Schulman has served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at PBS KVIE since February 2020. Previously, Colleen was the Director of Development for di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art. Schulman’s fundraising career also includes roles as the annual and special giving manager for the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, the director of development for UC Davis in the College of Letters and Science and development officer and function manager for the Concord Museum in Concord, Mass. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in art history and classics from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Colleen earned her Master of Science in Arts Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management from Boston University.

Geoff Hansen

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

After receiving his JD from UOP McGeorge School of Law in 1975, Geoff practiced in the field of Workers Compensation for close to 40 years, including several years as the Presiding Judge of the Redding office of the Workers Compensation Appeals Board. A Board Certified Specialist, he also served as Chair of the Workers Compensation Section of the State Bar of California. Since retirement to Napa, Geoff has committed himself to professional landscape photography. His work is currently featured in permanent exhibits at Art Gallery Napa Valley and Beneserre Vineyards. Geoff’s additional interests include skiing (including 25 years on the Mt. Shasta Ski Patrol), fly fishing and traveling with his wife, Kathy and their beloved Golden Retriever, Riley. The Hansens have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren, all of whom live in the greater Bay Area.

Robert Parker

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

Bob Parker has served as the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Administrative Services at Napa Valley College since February of 2016. Previously, Bob served for 10 years as the Vice President, Administrative Services of San Diego Continuing Education, a division of the San Diego Community College District. Bob holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Rowan University in New Jersey, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, and a Master’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University.

Richard Hall

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

Richard Hall is employed as the Chief Financial Officer of Lede Family Wines in Yountville and is the former Vice Mayor of Yountville. He presently serves as President for The River School Foundation and has served in various positions with other local non-profit boards including, the Yountville School Foundation, Wildlife Rescue Center of Napa County and Yountville FOCUS. Richard received an MBA, with a concentration in finance, from St. Mary’s College of California in 1999 and received a BA Economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. In his free time, Richard enjoys soccer (the beautiful game), golf and most importantly spending time with his family. Married over twenty years to Rachel, they have three children Olivia 10 and twins Alex and Lucie 5.

Whitney Diver McEvoy

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

Whitney Diver McEvoy has served as the President & CEO of the Yountville Chamber of Commerce since July 2016. She graduated with honors and distinction from Sonoma State University with a degree in Political Science. Whitney is passionate about securing Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class destination and its agricultural heritage. She believes the Arts are a critical piece of Napa Valley’s story and allure. Whitney currently sits on the Silverado Country Club Board of Directors and the Visit Napa Valley Marketing Committee. In her free time, she enjoys, practicing yoga, playing golf with friends and exploring the fabulous food & wine throughout the Valley. She and her husband Matt were married in 2015, they have two cats, Shadow and Tiger.

Bill Gantt

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

For the past 31 years, Bill has led a comprehensive Instrumental Music Program at Vintage High School; a Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Ensembles, the Vintage Marching Band, Winter Percussion and Winter ColorGuard. He has taken his high school ensembles to local, state wide and international Music Festivals where they received many top awards. Bill has also taught Music Classes at Napa Valley College and directed the Napa Valley College Jazz Band from the late 90’s until 2014 and guest Conducted various Honor Bands and Ensembles throughout the Napa Valley Area. Bill is currently on the Arts Education Master Plan Leadership Team for the NVUSD. Bill has continued to compose and arrange music for String Orchestras, Symphonic Orchestras, Chamber Ensembles, Marching Bands, and Symphonic Bands. His latest work, “Umbria” was written in 2016 and performed this past April by the Vintage High School Wind Ensemble at his last Vintage High School Spring Concert. Now retired from NVUSD, Bill looks forward to continuing his interests in Composition, Music Education Advocacy and staying in involved with the Napa Arts Culture.

Anne Mullaney

Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Sales Director, Vesta Home 

Anne began her career in some of the top advertising agencies of Chicago and San Francisco for clients like Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Levi Strauss & Co., Miller Lite and TAG Heuer. Anne has been focused on varied marketing consulting roles across a diverse range of business entities, from global tech companies to smaller lifestyle brand start-ups. And fulfills her passion for art and design through her work in Business Development with Meridith Baer Home, the country’s premier luxury staging design company for Napa, Sonoma and Marin counties. She feels lucky to call St. Helena her newest home. Her educational background includes University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross Graduate School of Business Administration. Anne currently serves as Sales Director, Vesta Home covering the San Francisco Bay Area luxury real estate market with bespoke staging and custom interior design services.

Vincent Piombo

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

Vincent Piombo is the Instructional Technology Coach for the Napa County Office of Education Court & Community School Programs (Camille Creek) and has nearly 10 years of experience leading and supporting technology integration in Napa K12 public education institutions. In addition to working in his current role managing and teaching technology on campus, Vince also sits on the school’s visioning team and runs the student leadership program. Vince also played a role in starting the school’s Nimbus Arts program where students can explore hands on art activities with professional artists. Vincent also owns and operates Aperture Media & Design, a small production company in Napa, CA. Clients include Thomas Keller Restaurant Group’s the French Laundry, BottleRock Napa Valley, The Napa Valley Vintners, Lollapalooza Music Festival, Vineyard 29 and more. As a Napa native Vince is always looking for creative ways to leverage his media skills to effect positive change in our valley.

Brad Wagenknecht

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

Brad has been a school teacher since 1977. During the first 10 years of his teaching career he taught emotionally disturbed adolescents. Since 1987 Brad has been teaching social studies at Redwood/Silverado Middle School in Napa. Brad graduated from a local high school in Napa and went on to graduate from the University of California-Santa Cruz with a degree in Political Science and Elementary Education. Brad has split his time teaching with public service since 1984, when he was elected to the Napa City Council. He has also served as Mayor to the City of Napa. In 1998 he was elected to the Napa County Board of Supervisors and began serving as the representative for District 1 in January 1999.

Philippa Ward

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

After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Philippa Ward returned to St. Helena in the Napa Valley to start her real estate career in her hometown. After nine years of brokering estate homes, vineyard land, and wineries, she moved to Manhattan, where she focused exclusively on the townhome and co-op markets. Philippa then moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she added to her real estate proficiency by serving as the president of the Commercial Industrial Division of the Tri-County area. She also became a CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) candidate as a result of her work in commercial real estate development and with investment clients. Philippa looks forward to working with Engel & Völkers for its extensive technology platforms and focus on providing clients with a customized, highly targeted “boutique” experience—in line with her professional values. When not helping clients realize their real estate goals or representing her family’s winery, Saintsbury in Napa, Philippa enjoys travel and professional sports as well as offshore fishing.

Adam L. Wiedmann

Director, Arts Council Napa Valley
Sculptor

Adam L. Wiedmann is a celebrated sculptor living in St. Helena, CA. His work can be found worldwide in galleries, private, corporate and public collections. Adam was born and raised in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts as the son of a Californian. He traveled west to his familial roots and attended Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR where he received his BA in History, 2000. While in Portland he began his career as an artist and has not looked back since. In recent years he has followed in the footsteps of his great great uncle Adam Clark Vroman, and has added photography to his artistic endeavors, primarily documenting wildfires. In 2014 Adam moved to Napa Valley and joined the community. He is the father of two young daughters and holds great value in the role the arts play in education and development.

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