Our Team
Dedicated Leaders Passionate About Dane County’s Creative Future
Meet the individuals whose deep experience, professional expertise, and heartfelt commitment drive our mission to support local arts every day.
Amelia Chen – Executive Director
Amelia has dedicated her entire professional life to non-profit leadership and arts administration, bringing over fifteen years of experience leading cultural organizations in the Midwest. She holds a Master’s degree in Arts Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a strong background in strategic planning, fundraising, and public policy advocacy. Amelia believes passionately in the power of localized funding, arguing that direct, non-bureaucratic support is the most effective way to foster genuine artistic growth and community engagement. Her leadership philosophy centers on transparency and collaboration, working tirelessly to ensure the Friends of Dane Arts is responsive to the evolving needs of artists, patrons, and partner organizations alike. She is known for her insightful approach to equitable resource distribution and her unwavering commitment to making the arts accessible to every demographic group within Dane County, driving every initiative toward measurable, positive community impact.
Robert ‘Bob’ Jensen – Director of Grant Programs
Bob is the vital link between our funds and the artists who need them, overseeing the meticulous process of grant review, distribution, and reporting across all our funding cycles. A former professional musician and music educator for over twenty years, he understands the unique financial challenges faced by creators and small arts organizations firsthand, bringing a deep level of empathy and practical knowledge to his role. He holds a Ph.D. in Musicology and has published widely on the economic sustainability of community arts. Bob’s analytical approach ensures that every grant application is evaluated fairly, not just on artistic merit, but on its potential for community impact and fiscal responsibility. He leads workshops for prospective grantees, offering invaluable advice on proposal writing and budget development, cementing his reputation as an essential mentor and resource for the entire Dane County arts community seeking financial stability.
Clara Rodriguez – Community Engagement Manager
Clara is the energetic force behind all our public-facing initiatives, responsible for building strong relationships with neighborhoods, community centers, schools, and local businesses across the county. She has a background in social work and community organizing, which informs her powerful belief that art is the ultimate tool for social bridge-building and healing. Clara’s work involves organizing public art talks, facilitating collaborative neighborhood mural projects, and managing our volunteer initiatives, ensuring our outreach efforts are culturally sensitive and reflective of the county’s vibrant diversity. She is constantly seeking new and unconventional venues for artistic display, aiming to remove the perceived intimidation factor of formal arts institutions and bring creative experiences directly to where people live, work, and gather, creating countless, accessible entry points for cultural participation and shared appreciative moments.
Dr. Helen Liu – Advocacy and Education Coordinator
Dr. Liu spearheads our efforts to integrate arts policy into municipal and educational planning, advocating at the state and local levels for sustained public investment in creativity. With a doctorate in Educational Policy and a history as a high school drama teacher, Helen has an expert perspective on the critical role the arts play in cognitive and emotional development from childhood through adulthood. Her focus is ensuring that every Dane County student receives a complete and enriching arts education, working closely with school boards and district administrators to protect and expand arts programming. Helen also runs our professional development series for arts educators and emerging leaders, helping them navigate bureaucracy and articulate the measurable value of their work to stakeholders, making her an indispensable resource for proving the quantitative benefits of cultural investment beyond the anecdotal.
Community Connection & Well-being
Bridging Divides Through Shared Cultural Experiences
We strategically utilize the arts to enhance community well-being, foster social cohesion, and promote mental health across diverse populations in Dane County, recognizing the intrinsic human need for connection and expressive outlet. Our supported programs include arts-based therapy in healthcare settings, collaborative public art projects in underserved neighborhoods, and free community festivals that celebrate cultural diversity through music, dance, and visual arts, eliminating barriers to access and participation. The core belief here is that co-creating art or sharing a powerful cultural experience builds essential empathy, fosters understanding across differences, and provides healthy avenues for processing collective trauma and stress. By using the arts as a tool for dialogue and inclusion, we contribute directly to a more empathetic, resilient, and connected Dane County, where every resident feels a sense of belonging and has an avenue for meaningful self-expression.
Join Us
Advance Your Career in Arts Administration and Community Service
Explore rewarding career opportunities with Friends of Dane Arts, where your professional skills directly contribute to the cultural enrichment of the entire Dane County community.
Career Opportunities
Meaningful Roles Driving Cultural Impact
Friends of Dane Arts occasionally seeks talented and dedicated professionals to join our administrative and program teams, offering career opportunities that blend operational rigor with a profound commitment to cultural enrichment. Our available roles, which are always posted on our website’s career page, span a diverse range of specialties, including grant management, community engagement, financial administration, and public advocacy, providing a stimulating work environment for experts from various professional backgrounds. We seek individuals who are passionate about the arts, possess excellent strategic thinking and communication skills, and are committed to equity and transparency in all their professional dealings, recognizing that our work requires both deep passion and high-level execution. Working with us means dedicating your professional expertise to a mission that directly strengthens the social and economic fabric of Dane County, making every day a contribution to a more vibrant and expressive community for thousands of residents.
