Coffee @ 10: "Should I Join?": Insights into national artist organizations with Liz Ahrens

Prior to joining the American Impressionist Society as their first full-time paid Executive Director, Liz was the Executive Director/President of the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) of Petoskey and Traverse City, Michigan. 

Liz has been active in a number of organizations including serving as President of the Board of Directors of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce in 2012  and of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2008. She has been a board member of many organizations including Petoskey Downtown Management Board, Rotary Club of Petoskey and Leadership Little Traverse. She was appointed by Governor Snyder to serve on the board of directors and Executive Committee of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in 2011 and continues to serve today. Liz formerly served as a board member of ArtServe Michigan and the Michigan State University College of Arts and Letters Alumni Board. Liz received the Athena Award in December of 2014 for her dedication to the community and her work in the non-profit sector.  

Liz holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University School of Philanthropy. She earned her undergraduate degree in Humanities from Michigan State University in 1984.