After 12 years of impactful public service, Karen Hanan, Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), has announced her retirement from state service effective June 30, 2026. Hanan was appointed as director of the Agency in 2014 by Governor Jay Inslee and has served as a cabinet-level leader dedicated to the cultural and economic vitality of Washington State.

Under Hanan’s stewardship, ArtsWA experienced an era of growth and modernization. Since beginning her tenure in 2014, she successfully advocated for increased state investment in the arts, resulting in an expansion of the agency’s programming, services, and staff.

“Karen’s impact on the cultural landscape of Washington cannot be overstated,” said Krishna Thiagarajan, ArtsWA Board Chair. “Over the last 12 years, her visionary leadership has transformed ArtsWA into a more inclusive, robust, and essential agency. She has been a fierce advocate for the arts, the creative economy, and communities alike, ensuring that the arts remain a cornerstone of our state’s identity. On behalf of the Board, I thank her for her tireless dedication and for leaving the agency in such a position of strength.”

Notable expansions under Hanan’s leadership :

• The agency’s stewardship of the State Art Collection grew in scale and sophistication, ensuring that public art remains a vibrant, well-maintained asset for all Washingtonians.
• In partnership with Humanities Washington, the agency expanded the State Poet Laureate program, including a significant increase of the Laureate’s honorarium to $40,000 annually.
• The agency moved toward more equitable funding models in Grants to Organizations and fortified Arts in Education through initiatives like the Creative Start grant and Poetry Out Loud.
• The agency established Creative Districts as economic drivers and launched the Wellness, Arts, and the Military program to support the wellness and reintegration of military-connected populations.
• The agency built the Tribal Cultural Affairs program—the first of its kind in the nation—and revitalized WACultures, the state’s folk and traditional arts program.

Hanan’s leadership has been characterized by a profound respect for the public service mission of the agency. Central to this success has been the partnership between the agency’s staff and Board of Commissioners. Together, these groups have ensured that ArtsWA remains an accountable, nimble, and transparent steward of the state’s cultural investments.

“Leading ArtsWA for the past 12 years has been the greatest honor of my professional life,” said Hanan. “I am incredibly proud of what our team, our board, and our partners across the state have accomplished together. Success in this work is never a solo endeavor; it is the result of a brilliant staff and a passionate Board of Commissioners who share a deep-seated commitment to public service. Their tireless dedication to serving every Washingtonian—from our vibrant cities, to our rural counties and tribal lands—is the true reason ArtsWA has flourished. I leave knowing that the agency is stronger, more vital, and in the most capable hands possible.“

Prior to her appointment at ArtsWA, Hanan served as the Executive Director of Arts Northwest for 11 years and was the founding Executive Director of the Juan de Fuca Festival and Foundation for the Arts. Her retirement marks a turning point in a distinguished career spent weaving the arts into the fabric of daily life in the Pacific Northwest.

The Search Process

In accordance with state law (RCW 43.46.050), the search for a new Executive Director will be led by the ArtsWA Board of Commissioners in collaboration with key staff and stakeholders. Following a comprehensive recruitment process, the board will submit a list of three ranked finalists to Governor Ferguson for consideration and ultimate appointment. ArtsWA will work to ensure a smooth transition of leadership between June 15 and July 1, 2026.

Applications are now open. Click here to review the job description and apply.

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