press release

July 30, 2018

Brian J. Carter appointed Executive Director of 4Culture

Summary

The King County Council and Executive Dow Constantine have appointed Brian J. Carter as the agency’s new Executive Director. 4Culture began its Executive Director search last November, following the retirement announcement of founding director Jim Kelly. The 4Culture Board of Directors is proud to announce this new phase in leadership for the organization. 4Culture is King County’s cultural funding and services agency supported by Lodging Taxes and the 1% for Art ordinance.

Full Release

Carter was selected at the culmination of a very competitive search process, led by 4Culture’s Board of Directors. Three essential criteria guided the selection: a visionary leader with a passion for 4Culture’s evolving mission and role in the region, excellent public affairs and government relations ability, and a deep appreciation and commitment to advancing racial equity and social justice. The selection process incorporated input from staff, board, advisory committees, elected officials, and representatives from the communities 4Culture serves.

Brian has served as Heritage Lead at 4Culture for the past two years, overseeing funding programs and providing technical support to King County’s heritage community. During his tenure, he has advocated for 4Culture to be a catalyst for change and creativity within the cultural sector and implemented an assessment process to understand and respond to the needs of regional heritage organizations.

Before his arrival at 4Culture, he held prominent positions in the arts and heritage field, including Deputy Director/Head Curator of the Northwest African American Museum, Museum Director of the Oregon Historical Society, and Director of Interpretation at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. He is currently Board President of the Association of African American Museums and is on the board of the Washington Museums Association.

Quotes

“I am looking forward to working with Brian to increase access to arts and culture throughout our region. By creating more opportunities to learn and be inspired, Brian and 4Culture help ignite more creativity, create more shared experiences, and build a strong community.”
– Dow Constantine, King County Executive

“Brian’s career-long commitment to small and diverse arts, culture and heritage organizations makes him an exceptionally well qualified candidate to become the next Executive Director of 4Culture. I congratulate him, and am excited to work with him to shape the future of arts and culture for all communities in King County.”
– Rod Dembowski, King County Councilmember, Chair of the Committee of the Whole

“Brian has the visionary leadership and thoughtful approach 4Culture needs at this time of transformation for the agency, along with demonstrated public service to the field and an understanding of the public impact arts, heritage, preservation and public art have for our community”
– Heather Trescases, 4Culture Board President