This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Kristin Reese, the executive director of the Mono Arts Council. Kristin shares her journey and dedication to promoting creativity in the Eastern Sierra region of California. In our conversation, she outlines the Mono Arts Council’s evolution, emphasizing its shift toward arts education. Kristin believes that every child in Mono County should have access to the arts, and she discusses the numerous initiatives aimed at making that happen.
Having grown up in the Eastern Sierra, Kristin developed a passion for the performing arts early on, influenced by her family of artists, musicians, and dancers. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in music from Sonoma State University, she felt the pull to return to her roots. Once back, she co-founded the Sierra Classic Theatre in 1999 and later worked at the Edisto Gallery & Tea Room, where she connected with local artists.
Now at the helm of the Mono Arts Council, Kristin is committed to ensuring arts education is a priority for all K-12 students in the region. She highlights the positive impact of arts education on students, noting how it can improve test scores and attendance while also supporting mental health and social-emotional learning. The Council also runs several adult programs, like Art & Wine and the MAC Gallery & Community Arts Center, creating platforms for local artists to showcase their work. With her background in music and a deep love for the arts, Kristin aims to strengthen connections within the local arts community and inspire the next generation of creators.
Quotes From This Episode
“Over the years, [the Mono Arts Council] has evolved toward being responsive to what the community needs are and kind of led us to where we are today, which is that our primary focus is arts education and making sure that all the students in Mono County have access to all art.” — Kristin Reese [09:33]
“Around the time that I moved to where I live now, which is overlooking Mono Lake, I kind of had this realization of the trajectory of my life and that I wanted to work in the non-profit world.” — Kristin Reese [23:22]
“Being a brand new executive director and having this pandemic and trying to keep an arts organization afloat was definitely challenging, but I made it work. And I think we came out of it better and stronger and with a clearer focus on what our priorities were and the direction that we want to head in.” — Kristin Reese [33:05]
“We're definitely evolving that side of our organization to really be a bigger support for our local artist community, to give them as many opportunities as we can.” — Kristin Reese [38:03]
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Katie Love: Two Tickets to Paradise
Mono Arts Council on Instagram
About Kristin Reese and Mono Arts Council
Kristin Reese is a dedicated advocate for the arts in Mono County, where she has lived since 1976. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Sonoma State University, she has deep roots in both performing and visual arts, shaped by a family of artists. Kristin co-founded Sierra Classic Theatre in 1999 and has actively engaged with the Mono Arts Council community. Currently serving as the leader of the Mono Arts Council, she is passionate about ensuring that every child in the county has access to arts education. A musician herself, Kristin is also a member of the local band Bodie 601. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities such as backpacking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing, as well as exploring new art mediums.