Karen J Hanan

Karen Hanan is a senior executive with 25+ years of success providing leadership and managerial direction to state and regional arts service and presenting organizations. She was appointed Executive Director of ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission) by Governor Jay Inslee in 2014. As the agency’s head, Karen’s role is to grow the organization’s capacity, services and potential for positively impacting the arts and cultural fields, arts in education, the creative economy, and the State. Previously, Karen was Executive Director of Arts Northwest, the regional service organization for performing arts organizations, arts presenters, artists, agents and associated organizations. During her tenure there, Karen was the driving force in re-positioning the non-profit for growth, artistic vitality, profitability and a commitment to mission. She achieved this through effective planning, vision, partnership building and operational savvy. Karen oversaw the doubling of the organization’s membership and its budget. Prior to her tenure with Arts Northwest, Karen was the founder and Executive Director of the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts. She is a well-respected member of a number of industry organizations, and sits on several Boards of Directors. She enjoys opportunities to be a speaker, panelist or event participant where the focus is an arts-related topic, or the creative economy.