Mission
The mission of the Arts and Culture Commission is to enrich the human experience, reinforce Glendale’s identity and civic pride through arts and culture, and to recognize the importance of arts to our quality of life and to the local economy. This is accomplished by consciously integrating arts and culture into the daily life of the people of Glendale through urban design, planning, economic development, and education.
Meet Your Commissioners
Commissioner Jane Viar
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Jane Viar is currently the Vice Chair of the Glendale Library Foundation, and member of the Glendale Police Foundation and Zonta Club of Burbank. Ms. Viar is a retired speech and language pathologist, and an avid supporter of the arts.
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: March 2024
Chairperson
Arlene Vidor
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Vidor is serving her second term on the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission. She currently serves on the Boards of Antaeus Theatre Company, and The Adams Hill Neighborhood Association as well as The Glendale Historical Society’s (TGHS) Advisory Council. She is the recipient of the Society’s Zelia Blanton Preservation Award and Carol Dougherty Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a past president of both TGHS and the Associates of Brand Library & Art Center. Vidor served two terms on the Glendale Historic Preservation Commission and successfully nominated four City owned properties to the Glendale Register of Historic Resources during her commission tenure, including Wallace House, Brand Park Entrance Gates, Brand Cemetery and the Adams Square Richfield Gas Station (now a city public art space). Vidor has been an advocate for both the arts and historic preservation for over 20 years. She is a practitioner of digital photocollage and a member of the chamber music group, Cantabile.
Current Terms: 2
Term Ends: June 2027
Commissioner Sevana Zadorian
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Sevana Zadorian is a life-long resident of Glendale and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctorate at Loyola Law School. Zadorian has also served as Campaign Strategist for various political campaigns and holds the position of Co-Chair for the City's Annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event. Her commitment to public service is further exemplified by her prior roles as a judicial extern at the Los Angeles Superior Court and as a policy intern for the Los Angeles Mayor's office. With a passion for the arts and experience in curating, Zadorian has dedicated herself to promoting and supporting the vibrant world of creativity that enriches our community.
Current Terms: 2
Term Ends: November 2026
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Sue Bell Yank is Executive Director of Clockshop which produces free public programming and commissions contemporary artist projects on public land to better connect Angelenos to the land we live on. She was previously Deputy Director at 18th Street Arts Center. She has worked in arts, entertainment, and public schools for over a decade, including as Associate Director of Academic Programs at the Hammer Museum, where she formed city-wide partnerships triangulating communities, the arts, and schools. She created an online education platform for the Oprah Winfrey Network, and has worked as a teacher and curriculum specialist in and out of public schools. Her interest in urban planning and affordable cities led her to create a six-episode podcast about housing in LA called Paved Paradise. She teaches at UCLA, frequently writes about socially engaged art practice and pedagogy, and has been a Field Researcher for A Blade of Grass and Asian Arts Initiative. Yank received a BA from Harvard University and an MA in Public Art Studies from the University of Southern California.
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: June 2024
Vice-Chair
Sue Bell Yank
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Current Terms: 2
Term Ends: February 2028
Commissioner Caroline Tufenkian
Caroline Lais-Tufenkian has worked in the arts field for over 19 years in a variety of capacities to represent excellence in contemporary art. Caroline maintains active relationships with artists and arts organizations within and beyond Southern California, organizes and manages exhibitions, represents and promotes individual artists and art shows, and produces art talks. As an art dealer, curator and art consultant she works closely with private collectors and corporations to build their collection.
If you are interested in seeing previous Commission Meetings, please click this link.
FAQ
How do I become a Commissioner?
Those interested in serving on a board or commission are encouraged to complete an application form from the office of the City Clerk, which also accepts the completed forms and maintains a list of applicants for all boards and commissions. All applicants must be electors of the City of Glendale. When a vacancy occurs, a press release is issued advising of the filing period established to receive additional applications. The City Clerk verifies voter registration and sends all qualified applications to City Council for review and nomination. Each Councilmember may nominate one member to each board and commission. All members must then be appointed by City Council.