STAFF
KELLY JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kelly Johnson brings a lifelong passion for the arts and a successful track record in nonprofit administration to her role as executive director. Prior to joining ABAE in 2018, Kelly was the development director at ShelterCare. She has a bachelor’s degree in theatre from the University of Colorado at Denver and a master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Oregon. When she’s not enjoying Eugene’s spectacular arts and culture scene, you can find Kelly curled up with a good book, taking a long walk around town, or cheering in the stands at a Ducks football game.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
TREASURER
SECRETARY
BOARD MEMBERS
The Arts & Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE) helps lead civic engagement and stewardship of the arts, culture and creativity. We believe the arts are essential to a thriving community because they connect people and create healthy places where people want to live, work and visit.
THE ABAE ADVANTAGE
BORN OUT OF PARTNERSHIP
In 2006, the City of Eugene decided to closely examine our community’s cultural strengths and develop an integrated vision for the future. This year of research and conversations resulted in the cultural policy review (CPR) — a report that recommended the creation of an alliance that would coordinate and strengthen the efforts of the public, private and nonprofit cultural sectors while fostering high-level civic leadership in support of arts and culture.
The City pulled together a group of stakeholders, consisting of leaders from the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, Lane Community College, University of Oregon, and Travel Lane County, to bring this alliance to fruition. These five founding partners launched the Arts & Business Alliance of Eugene in 2008 and continue to contribute to the vision and leadership of the ABAE as members of the board of directors.
ADVOCATING FOR ARTS & CULTURE
We are champions of the arts and advocate to advance goals and policies at the local and state levels to elevate and improve access to arts and culture in ways that benefit the community.
HOW DO WE SUPPORT ARTS ADVOCACY?
ADVANCING ARTS & CULTURE
We convene and encourage arts, business, and civic leaders to collaborate on innovative ideas and initiatives that propel the Eugene-area arts and culture sector forward.
We bring together community members through programs, events and strategic initiatives to address sector-wide issues and develop strategies for advancing arts and culture in Eugene.
Since its founding in 2008, the Arts & Business Alliance of Eugene has leveraged partnerships in order to cement arts and culture as essential to our community’s long-term vitality. Because of such partnerships we were able to:
- Bring 12 noted visionaries to speak at ABAE events
- Spearhead 2 detailed economic studies on the local impact of arts and culture
- Pay tribute to more than 50 local artists and organizations
- Give awards to 25 inspiring partnerships and businesses
- Invest $200,000 in local arts projects
- Host 30 events connecting the arts and business sectors
- Present 16 Creative Academy seminars
ANNUAL REPORTS
Our annual report provides information about our organization’s growth and an overview of work completed during the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
INSPIRING PARTNERSHIPS
We love helping arts and businesses find mutual success by working together. Here are a few top-notch arts-and-business partnerships from right here in our community. To see more inspiring videos visit our
YouTube Channel.
Eugene’s arts ecosystem is incredibly broad and diverse for a community of its size. There are many ways that you or your business can get involved, to ensure the arts continue to thrive, which in turn boosts our local economy and helps make Eugene an ideal place to live and work. Want a snapshot of Eugene’s arts organizations, as well as volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved? Our annual Arts Guide is a great place to start!
LOCAL PARTNERS
The ABAE works closely with community partners such as Lane Arts Council and the City of Eugene Cultural Services department.
ARTS ADVOCACY
Want to learn more about what is happening at the state and national level? We are members of the following groups to learn and support:
