Council narrows Arts Commission roster; several appointments and one alternate slot filled

Federal Way City Council members interviewed seven applicants for vacancies on the Arts Commission and agreed on a slate of nominations for several seats; final confirmations will be handled at the council's regular meeting or in later interview sessions.

Council members recommended reappointing Kimberly Bowman and placing Daniel (Dan) Hirschman and Tom Bridal into voting positions. Angelica Juarez (applicant) was selected for a voting seat, Katie Ashjohn was moved into voting seat 5 from an alternate slot, and Alexander (Alex) Milston was placed as an alternate. Several seats remain open pending additional interviews, and Kenny Byrne—who did not attend the meeting—was not advanced.

During interviews applicants described arts outreach priorities, public-art maintenance and youth engagement. Katie Ashjohn emphasized public-art accessibility and community-led projects; "I envision making public art more accessible for the community," she said, and suggested more public-art walks and better promotion of existing installations. Daniel Hirschman, a longtime music educator and former Arts Commission chair, highlighted school-district partnerships that helped bring student work into city displays. Tom Bridal, an alternate member seeking a voting position, described operational improvements and better networking among arts groups as his priorities. Angelica Juarez, a Federal Way painter, told councilors outreach to schools, grocery stores and community venues could widen participation among artists and audiences.

Council discussion also covered the commission's grant program and staffing: Kim Bowman said grant funding has been essentially flat for years and that even modest increases could expand youth programming and visibility for local groups. Councilors noted timing and term expirations that affect which seats to fill immediately and which to leave open for later consideration. Karen Brigado and Harold Booker were noted as applicants who will be scheduled for interviews on Nov. 18 or after the holidays; the council agreed not to advance absent applicants who did not attend the meeting.

The council's nominations will be placed on the regular meeting agenda for formal confirmation. Members said the Arts Commission's current priorities include the Arts Explosion event, traffic-graphics utility-box art, Arts Alive programming and building networks among performing and visual arts groups to increase participation and event capacity.