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Ché Anderson Elected to NASAA Board of Directors

Jhai James, NASAA Communications Director and Christian Kelly, Public Relations & Events Manager

headshot of Ché Anderson.
Ché Anderson, New Chair of Mass Cultural Council. Photo: Phil Smith of Phil Smith Photography.

Ché Anderson, Chair of the Mass Cultural Council, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA).

“I’m delighted to join the Board of Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, an organization whose expertise, leadership, and advocacy have made a meaningful impact on arts and culture not just in Massachusetts, but across the country,” said Anderson.

“Mass Cultural Council is recognized for leading by example, and I’m proud to bring our experiences and successes to this national conversation. Just as importantly, I look forward to learning from the innovative approaches and best practices of our colleagues in other states, and exploring how we can put those ideas to work here in Massachusetts to strengthen the Commonwealth’s cultural sector.”

NASAA’s newly elected officers and board members were selected during the organization’s October 9 business meeting. The new leadership reflects the expertise, dedication, and collaborative spirit of state and jurisdictional arts agencies working to strengthen the arts and serve communities across the country.

“We’re delighted to welcome these outstanding leaders to NASAA’s Board of Directors. Elected by their peers through a rigorous nomination process, they bring valuable expertise and a shared commitment to advancing the arts nationwide. Their leadership strengthens NASAA and our collective work to support state and jurisdictional arts agencies and the communities they serve,” said NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux.

The newly elected executive committee officers are:

  • Michael Donovan, Chair
  • Karen Ewald, First Vice Chair
  • Marcela Garcia, Second Vice Chair
  • Adele Sicilia, Secretary
  • David Lewis, Treasurer

NASAA also welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors, each beginning a three-year term for 2027–2029:

  • Ché Anderson, Chair, Massachusetts Cultural Council
  • Joshua Davis-Ruperto, Executive Director, Illinois Arts Council
  • Tony Manfredi, Executive Director, Nevada Arts Council
  • Allison Tratner, Executive Director, New Jersey State Council on the Arts

NASAA’s Board of Directors provides leadership and strategic guidance as the organization works to strengthen state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Through research, advocacy, professional development and peer collaboration, NASAA supports these agencies in expanding access to the arts and advancing the role of the arts in fostering vibrant, thriving communities nationwide.

Learn more about NASAA and its work supporting state and jurisdictional arts agencies.

About Ché Anderson
Ché Anderson is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for City and Community Relations at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he serves as a human bridge between the institution and external stakeholders. In his former role as Deputy Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester, he focused on public art, special events, and cultural equity. An avid lover of street art, Ché has led efforts to increase Worcester’s public art, most notably serving as co-founding Director of POW! WOW! Worcester, an annual placemaking festival that brings internationally acclaimed muralists, illustrators, and installation artists to Central Massachusetts to activate vacant and underused spaces, promote diversity, and stimulate dialogue in the City of Worcester. His recent endeavors include serving as Chair of Mass Cultural Council, and on the boards of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

About NASAA
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is the membership organization for the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA advances the arts by strengthening the leadership and effectiveness of these agencies through research, advocacy, professional development and opportunities for peer learning and collaboration.


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