Staff

Karla Johnson-Grimes
Executive Director

Karla Johnson-Grimes joined ArtReach as Executive Director in August of 2006 after spending two years on the Board of Directors. Karla graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Interior Design with an emphasis in Art History from Baylor University. Her passion and career path has taken her from working with artists and designers in Santa Fe, to her current position, with various projects along the way. All have been growing experiences and have prepared her for the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant organization.

Karla attributes her love for non-profits and fundraising to Junior League and feels it is the best training anyone can ever receive if wanting to get into the non-profit sector.

Karla is very happy her daughter shares her love for the arts and hopes that fire continues to burn.

Tricia Schmuki

Tricia Schmuki
Director of Development

Tricia Schmuki’s career at ArtReach began in 2002 as Grant Writer. Her eight years of development experience, strong passion for the visual arts and serving the less fortunate allow her to excel in her position as Director of Development. Recognized in 2005 for her outstanding work for increasing grant revenues, energy and professionalism, fund raising, planning and implementing programs, and coordinating staff and volunteers, Tricia was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) with the Up & Coming Professional Award. Tricia is participating in the 2008 50 for Colorado Leadership program, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado. Tricia also was part of the
2008 Colorado Council on the Arts grants panel, and 2007 Colorado Common Grant Application beta test.

Tricia maintains and develops strong funder relationships, has set and achieved or exceeded revenues goals during her six years at ArtReach, has retained critical funds for programs, and secured local, state, national, and federal funding. Tricia assists with determining strategic needs and opportunities for the organization through funding to enhance organizational capacity (technology, planning, marketing, staff) through her knowledge of grants, fund raising, programs, evaluation, financials, and nonprofit administration. Tricia has a strong knowledge of access to the arts for disadvantaged and culturally underserved populations, outreach programs, administering arts programs for public schools, collaborations with arts and nonprofit organizations, and research and evaluation of the benefits of the visual and performing arts and arts education. She manages and implements projects secured through grants, including YouthReach funded by the Colorado Council on the Arts.

Tricia is certified in Grantsmanship from The Grantsmanship Center and The Principles and Techniques of Fund Raising from the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University. A Denver native, Tricia’s prior employment includes Mercy Housing and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, and she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

Sarah Gulinska

Sarah Gulinska
Director of Education and Community Tickets

Sarah Gulinska has been a part of the ArtReach team since 2005. As the Director of Education and Community Tickets, Sarah provides much needed leadership to teaching and performing artists, ticket donors, ABK schools and member agencies. Her global approach to programming and her ability to utilize technology has become an important part in ArtReach’s effort to interconnect programming and develop strong and effective collaborations.

Sarah’s commitment to the non-profit world started in her hometown of Coldwater Michigan. As President of the Youth Advisory Council, a youth philanthropy program, Sarah learned the basics of effective grant making, endowment building, and community service. In 2002, Sarah traveled to Africa where she assisted an organization dedicated to AIDS education and orphan support. She independently raised over $3000 for the organization and helped educate over 1100 members of the Ugandan Army about HIV/AIDS.

After graduating from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Art in Music and Business Management, Sarah worked for The Tibbits Opera house, coordinating performing arts assemblies for schools in rural areas. When Sarah moved to Colorado in 2005, her vision was to work for an organization that made a difference in the lives of artists and those in need. It did not take long for her to realize that ArtReach was perfect environment to reach her goals and live out her dream.

Erin Farnsworth
Community Ticket Assistant

Erin Farnsworth joined ArtReach in November 2007 as the Community Tickets Assistant. A Michigan native, Erin graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Communications. Her love of music and enthusiasm for the arts, led her to ArtReach where she is excited that she can now share her love of arts and entertainment with others.