ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
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 the Commissioners
CAROLINE TUFENKIAN, Chairperson
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: June 2022
Appointed By: Ara J. Najarian, City Councilmember
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.
SUE BELL YANK, Vice-Chair
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: March 2024
Appointed By: Paula Devine, Mayor
Sue Bell Yank is 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.
JANE VIAR, Commissioner
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: June 2022
Appointed By: Vartan Gharpetian, Former City Councilmember
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.
ARLENE VIDOR, Commissioner
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: June 2022
Appointed By: Vreje Agajanian, City Councilmember
Vidor currently serves on the City of Glendale Arts & Culture Commission. She is on the Board of Directors of Antaeus Theatre Company and Museum of Neon Art, and also the Glendale Historical Society’s Advisory Council. She was a Glendale Historic Preservation Commissioner from 2008 through 2017. Vidor was President of The Glendale Historical Society from 2002 to 2009 and received the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Prior to becoming a full time community volunteer, she was Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Baxter BioScience.
SEVANA ZADORIAN, Commissioner
Current Terms: 1
Term Ends: June 2022
Appointed By: Zareh Sinanyan, Former City Councilmember
Sevana Zadorian is a life-long resident of Glendale, and is currently the Executive Director of the Armenian Educational Foundation, Inc. Zadorian has also served as Campaign Manager, Field Director and Volunteer Director for various political campaigns, and is also affiliated with the Armenian National Committee (Glendale Chapter), Armenian National Committee of America, All-Armenian Student Association, and the Armenian Youth Federation. Zadorian attended the University of San Francisco, and has experience in the curation of art shows and journalism.
Archived Agendas and Minutes can be found HERE
FAQ
How do I become a Commissioner?
Those interested in serving on a board or commission are encouraged to obtain 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.
CONTACT US
Arts and Culture Commission
c/o Library, Arts & Culture Department
222 East Harvard Street
Glendale, CA 91205
818-937-2030
Jennifer Fukutomi-Jones, Principal Arts & Culture Administrator