Nestor Elected to Americans for the Arts’ Advisory Council

Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2017
CONTACT: Linda Nelson, Assistant Director
207-287-7050
linda.l.nelson@maine.gov

Argy Nestor Elected to Americans for the Arts’ Advisory Council
Nestor additionally named the Maine Arts Commission’s Employee of the Year

AUGUSTA, ME, December 22, 2016—Members of Americans for the Arts, the leading organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America, have elected Argy Nestor, the Director of Arts Education for the Maine Arts Commission, as a member of their advisory council for Arts Education. In the Arts Education Council, Nestor will work with fellow arts leaders to advise Americans for the Arts’ staff on trends in the field to create programs and services that will build a deeper connection to the field and the Arts Education Network. Council members are involved in visibility campaigns like National Arts in Education Week, the development of tools and resources, and peer-to-peer learning.
“We are thrilled to have Argy elected to this council, to bring Maine’s voice to the national table,” said Julie Richard, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission. “Arts Education is a high priority for our Commission, and Argy brings great expertise to this post as she is tireless in her efforts to learn about, design, and advance these programs and services.”

Nestor was also named the Commission’s Employee of the Year during a state ceremony at the Blaine House December 7.

Prior to joining the Arts Commission, Argy Nestor worked for seven years at the Maine Department of Education as the visual and performing arts specialist, serving approximately 1,200 Maine dance, music, theatre, and visual arts teachers. Before moving to the state level, Argy taught middle school visual art education for 30 years. She has been recognized for her accomplishments as an educator multiple times, including being named the 1995 Maine Teacher of the Year. Argy believes her success has come through communication and has established a listserv of over 1,200 educators and an arts education blog at meartsed.wordpress.com.

“Americans for the Arts strives to cultivate the next generation of arts leaders in America, and I am pleased to welcome Argy Nestor to our advisory council,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “These leaders are willing to dedicate their time and expertise to work with peers across the country to shape national programs and messages and help craft services for states, communities, and local organizations. I applaud Ms. Nestor for her valued contribution and commitment that will undoubtedly improve the state of arts in America.”

Potential council members were nominated in mid-September and were voted on by members of Americans for the Arts through November 14, 2016. Nestor will serve a three-year term, from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019.

The Maine Arts Commission is Maine’s state agency for the arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Commission supports artists, arts organizations, arts educators, policy makers and community developers in advancing Maine’s economic, educational, and cultural development in and through the arts. The Commission encourages and stimulates public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and programs of Maine; works to expand the state’s cultural resources; and encourages and assists freedom of artistic expression for the well-being of the arts, to meet the needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state. Additional information is available at mainearts.com.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.