Greg Esser
(602) 614-8727
EXPERIENCE
6/11 to present
Associate Director, Desert Initiative, ASU Art Museum
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Responsible for design, development and implementation of a regional program of exhibitions, lectures,
symposia and other events connecting four desert regions in the American Southwest. Responsible for
development and implementation of a new international artist residency program connecting 23 desert
communities globally. Develop interdisciplinary art-based research fostering innovation and generating
new knowledge focusing on sustainability and stewardship in an urban desert environment. Develop
programs and commissions that connect art, science, education and community within the context of one of
the largest leading public research universities and the sixth largest city in the United States.
8/09 to 5/11
Director of Civic Art
Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Los Angeles, CA
Set vision and program priorities for the public art program serving the largest municipal jurisdiction in the
United States. Responsible for management of an annual average of forty active public art projects
integrated into the construction of new Los Angeles County facilities including hospitals, libraries, fire
stations and parks. Awarded $100,000 grant through the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town
initiative to connect design of public space with community health in south Los Angeles. Hire, train and
supervise a staff of five professionals. Responsible for an annual operating budget of $200,000 and capital
project budgets ranging from $10,000 to over $1 million.
07/06 to 08/09
Founder and Executive Director
Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, Phoenix, AZ
Established the Roosevelt Row Arts District in downtown Phoenix. Set vision and priorities for the 501(c)3
non-profit organization responsible for the district. Develop strategic partnerships to accomplish the goals
of the organization. Secure funding for programs and initiatives through sponsorships, grants and earned
income. Increased the annual operating budget from $10,000 to over $100,000 during the first year of
operation. Hire, train and supervise two part-time professional staff members and numerous volunteers.
Garnered both local and national media coverage for the district including articles in Art in America,
Alaska Airlines, Art Now, Sunset Magazine, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times. Produce the
largest free monthly artwalk event in the United States.
02/04 to 07/06
Public Art Manager
Americans for the Arts, Washington, DC
Research policy and best practices in the field of public art nationally. Serve as the primary national level
resource individual for the field of public art. Provide advocacy and research to advance the field. Initiated
and developed a pilot program and secured funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to create a
national on-line database of public art projects. Organize annual national conferences for arts professionals
in public art and related fields.
10/96 to 01/04
Director, Public Art Program
Phoenix Arts Commission, City of Phoenix
Responsible for rebuilding the City of Phoenix Percent for Art Program following the highly controversial
“Squaw Peak Pots” project. Develop program direction and vision. Meet with funding department
directors, the Mayor’s Office and City Council to determine financial priorities for an annual program
budget of up to $16 million. Initiated a new program of temporary public art commissions, technical
assistance programs for professional artists and developed broad support for the program. Hire, train and
supervise a staff of six professionals to manage capital projects. Serve as Acting Director of the Phoenix
Arts Commission during absences of the Arts Commission Administrator.
10/91 to 10/96
Public Art Program Director
Mayor’s Office of Art, Culture and Film, Denver, Colorado
Responsible for development and implementation of a new percent for art ordinance for the City of Denver.
Responsible for all aspects of Denver’s public art program including new commissions, collection
management and programming. Worked with City Council to write legislation to improve management of
the program. Developed a new national Artists Registry. Responsible for more than fifty capital project
budgets ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 annually. Initiated a new Interagency Maintenance Task Force
that resulted in new allocations for preservation and maintenance of the City’s art collection, wrote
successful grants to secure funding for restoration and developed collection management policies, a
collection inventory and a model Adopt-an-Artwork program. Hire, train and supervise one professional
staff member and one administrative position.
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts, Intermedia, Arizona State University, Phi Kappa Phi, 2001
Recipient of the Nathan Cummings Foundation Award, 2000
Regents Academic Scholarship
Bachelor of Arts, Art and Social Change, Oberlin College, Phi Beta Kappa, 1991
Friends World College, New York, Israel and Kenya, 1987 to 1989
SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Contemporary Catalyst Award, 2009
Arizona Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award, 2009
Nominated for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, 2002
“Best Power Couple” with Cindy Dach, Phoenix New Times, 2002
ADDITIONAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING
Excellent written and oral communication skills. Articles published in local and national publications.
Extensive public presentation experience and national conference organization. Extensive computer
proficiency including Adobe CS3, Microsoft and HTML.
Panelist, National Conference of State Legislatures, Phoenix, AZ, 2010
Keynote Speaker, Oregon AiA conference, Oregon, 2006
Panelist, visual arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C., 2004
Founder and developer, Sixth Street Studios, Phoenix, AZ, 2003
National Advisory Board Member, Public Art Review, Minneapolis, MN, 1995 to present
Panelist, Leadership Initiatives, National Endowment for the Arts, 2002
Founder, 515 Arts, Phoenix, AZ, 2001
Founder, eye lounge, a contemporary art space, Phoenix, AZ, 1999