Montana Arts Council Staff

Chief Financial Officer

Jenifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis from Montana State University, and it's a degree she's used for more than 30 years in state government. Her jobs during this time include working as an income tax auditor for the Department of Revenue, Budget Analyst and Accountant/Bureau Chief for the Department of Administration and—most importantly—has served as Chief Financial Officer for the Montana Arts Council since April 2016. 

Jenifer enjoys working for the Montana Arts Council in part because the agency's small size helps her contribute meaningfully to its mission. She believes it's important to keep art alive for all citizens to enjoy. 

When not at work Jenifer enjoys going to concerts, comedy shows, Flathead Lake and MSU Bobcat football games. 

Jenifer's Roles:  Budget | Accounting | Audit | Procurement | Contracts | HR | Security | Facilities
jeniferalger@mt.gov | (406) 444-6489

Arts Education Director

Monica Grable joined the staff of the Montana Arts Council (MAC) as Arts Education Director in the winter of 2017 following nearly twenty-five years dedicated to the parallel pursuits of secondary level visual art teaching and community-centered performing arts presenting. Previously the Executive Director of the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council, Monica has also held Art teaching positions in Corvallis and Hamilton, Montana as well as Minnetonka, Minnesota. She holds a BA in Art and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction.

In her position at MAC, Monica administers the arts learning-focused grant program Artists in Schools and Communities (AISC), serving Montanans of every age and ability, directs the Montana Artrepreneur Program (MAP) and Poetry Out Loud programs, and provides leadership for MAC’s Creative Aging initiative and education-related Communities of Practice.

The common thread connecting her professional passions is a deep desire to advocate for access to arts learning and to program transformative multidisciplinary arts experiences for all. Monica is very happy to be working alongside her MAC colleagues and outstanding artists, educators and community organizations to advance arts education opportunities for every Montanan.

Monica’s Roles:  Arts Learning Support | Education-focused Communities of Practice | Artists in Schools and Communities grant program | Creative Aging Initiative | Montana Artrepreneur Program | Montana Poetry Out Loud

monica.grable@mt.gov | (406) 444-6522

Deputy Director, Grants Director and 504/ADA Accessibility Coordinator

Kristin is the deputy director and ADA/504 and accessibility coordinator for the Montana Arts Council. Kristin really has no background for doing this amazing work in rural community-building through arts and culture but that hasn’t stopped her from doing it for the last 25 years. She is fascinated by technology, design, and living creatively. Kristin is a true introvert which explains why she can talk so much but then requires a nap.

Kristin loves making connections. Once she knows you, she considers you one of her people and part of her network, so feel free to call or email her any time for any reason but don’t be surprised when she shares your contact information with someone she thinks you need to know.

Kristin has a degree in biology with a pre-med emphasis from the Colorado College. Raised on a farm and ranch on the Hi-Line in Montana, her career has included traveling the country with Warren Miller Entertainment and working as a program director and instructor for a martial arts school.

Kristin believes creativity is whatever you want it to be and every day she tries to put down her device and appreciate what is around her. She loves her family and dogs, reading, snacks and small adventures.

Kristin’s Roles: Grant Programs | Governor’s Arts Awards (GAA) | Percent for Art | Accessibility + ADA | Chief Information Officer/IT (CIO) | Cultural Trust + Cultural & Aesthetic Projects (C&A) | Public Value Partnerships (PVP) | Statewide Service Organizations (SSO)

Communication Director

Eric has worked for more than 30 years in the fields of communications, marketing, branding, and public relations. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Montana State University, he's plied the trades of graphic designer, art director, creative director, copywriter, photographer, videographer, and second-string barista. Eric’s work on behalf of numerous private and governmental communications efforts include advocating for public health and safety initiatives, tourism, higher education, and the arts in Montana.

Eric is passionate about working for the Montana Arts Council because it lets him use his powers for good, helping to support Montana's individuals and organizations pursue the dream of making a difference through art. 

Eric's professional interests also find their way into his personal work, which often centers on Big Sky Country's history, landscape, and outdoor pursuits. His photography, fiction, and essays have appeared in Montana Quarterly, Big Sky Journal, Backpacker, Montana Outdoors, and several literary anthologies. When he’s not doing any of that, Eric's probably getting lost in Montana’s public lands or bailing water on its rivers. 

Eric's Roles:  Press Relations | Social Media | Oversight of State Of the Arts | Print and Multimedia Production | Oversight of Montana Poet Laureate Program

Eric.Heidle@mt.gov | (406) 444-6133

Executive Director

With a background in writing, musical performance, event curation, and arts presenting, Krys Holmes has contributed to the creative voice of Montana for almost 30 years. She is author of the statewide history textbook, Montana: Stories of the Land, a co-founder of the Montana Center for the Book, Board member of the literary/cultural powerhouse Drumlummon Institute, was one organizer of the Helena Festival of the Book, and was a jazz performer for several years. She has had fiction and poetry published, but that was long ago. She was Executive Director of The Myrna Loy, Helena's vibrant arts and culture center, for nine years before coming to the Montana Arts Council—which explains why she hasn't been writing.

Krys is passionate about the power of the arts to build community, spark economic vitality, develop healthy brains, and inspire our souls. It's our unique, varied creative voices and cultural expressions that make Montana so different from the states around us.

When not at work... wait, when will that be? The director of the Arts Council is always at work, even when she is out playing in the beautiful Montana landscape with her standard poodle.

Krys' Roles: Agency Management | Strategic Planning | Council Relations | Legislative Reporting

Krys.Holmes@mt.gov | (406) 444-6520

Program Officer

Brian has an M.A. in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. in Sociology from Linfield College. He has worked at the Montana Arts Council since 2020. Prior to that, he worked around the West in an array of roles with nonprofits, schools, cooperative extension system, and even landscaping outfits.

Working for the Montana Arts Council allows Brian to learn more every day about Montana communities and the artists who help those communities thrive.

Brian likes to be outside with his family whenever possible. Bike rides, camp outs, river floats, and garden workdays are a few of his favorite ways to get out in the sunshine.

Brian’s Roles: Strategic Investment Grants | Artist Innovation Awards | Montana Circle of American Masters | Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

Business Specialist

As MAC’s Business Specialist, Ginny is responsible for managing data, office administration and general support functions for the agency. If you have a question about a payment or why the online grant system isn’t working for you, she can help. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Auburn University and uses her skills to support our staff as we work together to strengthen the arts and our creative communities in Montana.

Ginny is glad to work with a great team of people who are passionate about the Arts and Artists across the state. She believes the Arts contribute to happiness and satisfaction in the lives of all and is thankful to play a small part in making Montana “the land of creativity”.

Ginny lives in Montana like a permanent tourist, spending her free time exploring all the Big Sky has to offer.

Ginny’s Roles: Database | Accounting Tech | Grants Management System | Office Manager | Council Meeting Logistics

virginia.newman@mt.gov | (406) 444-6354

Folklorist

A passionate and community-oriented recent graduate of the University of Oregon’s folklore and public culture master’s program, Taylor works with MAC on a contract basis to collect, interpret, and promote traditional and Indigenous arts, crafts, music, and folkways in Montana. 

folkarts@mt.gov | 406-209-8839   

Snack Technician

Jaz is passionate about overseeing the Arts Council's Milk-Bonz, biscuits, and kibble inventory. She brings a wealth of experience in squirrel monitoring and evaluating ear scratches, and is a people-oriented, high-energy addition to our Canine Resources department.