Karen Hanan is a nationally respected arts leader and advocate who has dedicated her career to strengthening arts organizations, advancing arts education, and expanding access to the arts across communities. She served as Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), where she worked to champion the public value of the arts, support creative communities, and promote the role of arts and culture in education, economic development, and civic life throughout Washington State.

Before leading ArtsWA, Ms. Hanan served as Executive Director of Arts Northwest and was the founding Executive Director of the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her ability to build partnerships, strengthen arts infrastructure, and advocate for the creative sector as an essential part of thriving communities.

In this episode, Ms. Hanan joins Curtains Up! A Historical Perspective on Drama to discuss why the arts matter, how arts organizations contribute to community well-being, the importance of arts education, and what students, families, and community members can do to support the future of the arts in Washington State and beyond.