Emma
Barnes

With over eight years of professional arts and culture experience, combined with nearly a decade of servicing non-profit organizations, Emma Barnes is the quintessential leader of the Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia. As president, Emma is involved with each committee, while simultaneously helping to develop programming, fundraise and support the tasks of each board member.

Having been raised in a small, rural town, Emma graduated with a degree in history from Washington State University, before gaining experience in arts and cultural administration as both curator and exhibition designer in gallery and museum spaces.

Emma is an inspiring advocate for the arts who just wants to “make cool $#!T happen.” While she currently dabbles in various art mediums, including illustration, painting, and graphic design, Emma is committed to enhancing equitable access to the arts while promoting underrepresented mediums, artists, and perspectives. Her strength and focus, as well as membership to a variety of boards and organizations, make Emma the ideal president for our organization of which we’re happy to have her leading our team.