The Public Arts Commission (PAC) Board of Directors has named
Ra’Chel Alexander as their Executive Director.
Chairman of the Board Mike Kuntz said, “The PAC board has been searching for the right
Executive Director for over a year, and we have found the right candidate in Ra’Chel
Alexander.”
Kuntz added, “Ra’Chel is an artist who has passion for the arts and been immersed in art for
several years. She was artistic coordinator for the Alley Alive project for the last two years and
an engaged artist and volunteer for Art & Wine Walk. She serves as President of ArtNest, a
nonprofit arts organization that provides resources for young artists through exhibits, studio
space, classes and events. Plus she has years working in business understanding the
importance of customer service, marketing, communications, budgets, and timelines. She will
bring an energetic entrepreneurial approach to taking PAC to the next level.”
Ra’Chel Alexander said, “I am excited to build upon the remarkable foundation established by
this volunteer board. I look forward to continuing the momentum to engage artists and the public
in my new role. We have a bright future with the support of artists, collectors, benefactors, and
community stakeholders. We have an opportunity to make Greater Grand Forks a leading public
art hub in the Northern Great Plains.”
The Executive Director oversees the development of public art projects, art exhibition programs
and cultural events and outreach to increase participation in the arts. PAC provides leadership
in the annual Art on the Red event in June, partners to organize the Art & Wine Walk,
coordinates the Mayor’s Art Award, provides the weekly PAC Events Email blast and is
coordinating several new public arts projects planned for 42 nd Street and downtown Grand
Forks.
The Public Arts Commission (PAC) was formed as a nonprofit in 2014 to enhance public art
offerings in Greater Grand Forks to create a more vibrant cultural and artistic life for residents
and visitors. PAC is committed to building and exhibiting a collection of high-quality public art for
the enjoyment and enrichment of citizens and visitors as well as provide artists an opportunity to
show their work, create imaginative spaces, enliven the public realm, foster culture awareness
in the community, and to encourage the collection of art. PAC will provide a means by which
artists, collectors and organizations may exhibit artworks in public places in our region. PAC
completed a Arts & Culture Master Plan in 2015 that was presented to the city in 2016. PAC
conducted an inventory of public art in 2015 describing 162 works which started with the Grand
Army of the Republic monument on Belmont Road dedicated in 1913. PAC has an
eight-member board: Mike Kuntz (Chair), Ann Brown (Vice Chair) Barry Wilfahrt (Treas), Bruce
Gjovig, Sen. Curt Kreun, Bill Palmisicno, Bryan Hoime and Janice Hoffarth.