Contact: Ellen McDonald
816.213.4355 cell / 816.444.0052 office
publicity@artskc.org
ArtsKC Announces Resignation of CEO & President Harlan Brownlee
Kansas City, MO (July 15, 2015) – Becky Blades, chair of the Board of Directors for ArtsKC,
today announced the resignation of Harlan Brownlee as ArtsKC president and CEO.
Brownlee, who has been with ArtsKC since February 2009, will depart July 31st. Blades said
the Board of Directors is in the process of naming a Search Committee to begin a national search for
Brownlee’s successor to ensure a smooth transition. An interim leader will be named in the next
few days.
Harlan Brownlee stated, “I’m very pleased and proud of the work of ArtsKC from the creation and
early adoption of the OneArtsKC Regional Cultural Plan, our move back to the Crossroads Arts
District, and the visioning and rebranding we accomplished for the organization. I thank the Board
and staff for their tireless work to make these a reality. Now, I am ready for the next chapter in my
life. I have always maintained a deep passion for arts education, and I would like to explore how I
may be of service for that vital work in our community and the place I call home.”
On behalf of ArtsKC Board, chair Becky Blades stated, “We recognize and thank Harlan for his
countless contributions to ArtsKC, including leading the One ArtsKC Regional Cultural Plan and the
successful oversight of ArtsKC Fund, both of which will nurture the arts in our community for
generations. These initiatives and more have helped position the organization with strong financial
stability and great growth potential moving forward. We are grateful for his service, passion and
dedication during his tenure.”
Brownlee has worked for thirty years in the arts field as a performing artist, arts educator, and arts
administrator. From 2005 to 2009, he served as the Executive Director for Kansas City Young
Audiences, a non-profit dedicated to engaging all youth in the arts, promoting creativity, and
inspiring success in education. Brownlee is a presenter for the Kennedy Center’s Changing
Education through the Arts (CETA) and is on the national touring roster for the Partners in
Education program. He has conducted master classes, workshops and residencies extensively in
the Midwest and throughout the United States. In addition, he has been an adjunct professor for
Rockhurst University’s School of Education and the University of Missouri – Kansas City’s School of
Education. Since 1996, he has served as a consultant for the Missouri Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education and as a member of the Fine Arts Task Force. Brownlee received his
B.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and his M.A. in Educational Research and
Psychology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
About the ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council:
The mission of ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council is to unleash the power of the arts. Please visit
www.ArtsKC.org for more information.