Platts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) has announced the election of a new chair and nine members to its board of directors. As part of a national nomination process, state arts agencies elected these leaders during NASAA’s 2025 business meeting.
David T. Platts of Columbia, executive director of the South Carolina Arts Commission, was elected chair of the NASAA board and will serve a two-year term.
Platts joined the South Carolina Arts Commission in 2019 after a 26-year career in education as an educator, principal and district-level administrator. He previously served as arts and sciences coordinator for Lancaster County School District for 15 years and held leadership roles with the Lancaster County Council of the Arts, the Palmetto State Arts Education board and the South Carolina Arts Alliance board. Platts is also a member of the South Arts board and previously served on NASAA’s Executive Committee. He continues to stay artistically active as organist and choir director at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia. (Board term 2023–2028)
New NASAA Board Members (Terms 2026–2028)
Jessica Ball, director, Delaware Division of the Arts
A public servant and arts advocate, Ball leads statewide efforts to expand access to the arts and launched the nation’s first Arts Equity and Innovation Incubator.
Colt Chambers, chair, Georgia Council for the Arts
Chambers owns The Alley Stage in Marietta, Georgia, and has raised millions for arts organizations through his leadership in fundraising and community partnerships.
Karem M. Gallo, commissioner, Kansas Arts Commission
An artist, entrepreneur and executive director of the High Plains Heritage Foundation, Gallo advocates for women’s empowerment and creative entrepreneurship.
David Lewis, executive director, Mississippi Arts Commission
Lewis has strengthened arts programming across Mississippi, expanded the Governor’s Arts Awards, and played a key role in bringing the National Folk Festival to Jackson.
Christina You-sun Park, executive director, Arizona Commission on the Arts
Park brings experience in cultural research, creative placemaking and grant making, fostering partnerships that highlight the arts’ role in community development.
Gary T. Whitley Jr., council member, Alabama State Council on the Arts
Whitley is the community relations manager for Huntsville Utilities and a longtime arts and civic leader, serving on multiple boards and commissions in Alabama.
Reelected Members
Sean Chandler, council member, Montana Arts Council
Chandler, Aaniiih, directs American Indian Studies at Aaniiih Nakoda College and teaches the Aaniiih language. (Board term 2023–2028)
Deonté Griffin-Quick, artist and arts advocate
Founder of DGQ Culture and executive director of the Jersey City Arts Council, Griffin-Quick is an award-winning arts leader with a focus on equity and cultural empowerment. (Board term FY2024–2027)
Gabriella Huggins, executive director, Art Access
A multimedia artist and social work practitioner from Salt Lake City, Huggins leads Art Access in its mission to build a diverse and inclusive arts community. (Board term FY2024–2027)
“We are delighted to welcome Jessica, Colt, Karem, David, Christina and Gary to the NASAA board, and we are happy that Sean, Deonté and Gabriella will continue their service,” said NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux. “I look forward to working in partnership with Chair David Platts and our new board leadership. These experienced leaders bring a breadth of talent, dedication and passion for the arts.”
Per NASAA bylaws, the board also elected the following officers to its Executive Committee:
- 1st Vice Chair: LaVon Bracy Davis, former chair, Florida Division of Arts and Culture
- 2nd Vice Chair: Karen Ewald, executive director, Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
- Treasurer: Michael Donovan, executive director, Missouri Arts Council
- Secretary: David Schmitz, executive director, Iowa Arts Council
“The 2026 NASAA board represents dynamic and dedicated leadership from our field and allied sectors,” said NASAA Chair David Platts. “I am excited to work with these outstanding leaders as we advance NASAA’s mission to strengthen state arts agencies and champion the value of arts and creativity across all communities.”
Founded in 1968, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that works with the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts councils to advance the arts as a path to economic prosperity, education success, community resilience and well-being.
For more information, visit www.nasaa-arts.org.