Alaska State Council on the Arts

Anchorage, AK

Laura Forbes has been the Arts Education Program Director at the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) since fall of 2011. Laura’s duties at ASCA include administering grants, the development of networks, facilitation of Alaska Poetry Out loud, supporting the field of presenting and touring performing arts and visual art exhibition, and technical services for artists, educators, arts organizations and all Alaska’s citizens. Laura graduated from the University of Alaska, Anchorage with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. She worked throughout Alaska and in Chicago, Illinois as a teaching artist, director, designer, and administrator for community arts organizations, with a focus and special interest in Theatre for Young Audiences/Youth Theatre. Laura has worked with such organizations as Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Vittum Theatre (now Adventure Stage Chicago), and a variety of Chicago’s storefront theaters. Returning to Alaska in 2007, Laura became the Director of Programs and Exhibits at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, and in earned an M.Ed. in Integrated Teaching through the Arts from Lesley University. Currently, Laura serves on the Arts Education Working Group for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Arts Education Managers and as an Advisory Board Member for the Alaska Arts Education Consortium.