Mission

To provide and support arts, science, and cultural opportunities that foster an engaged, equitable, and imaginative community.

About Creative Flagstaff

Creative Flagstaff fulfills its mission of fostering creative opportunity by responding to the interests of the regional community and bringing relevant arts, science, and cultural engagements to Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. Creative Flagstaff is the parent organization that operates Coconino Center for the Arts, which produces relevant exhibitions, vibrant performances, educational workshops, and offers myriad community resources. External engagements include ARTx Art + Ideas Experience, Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk, and the annual Viola Awards celebrating excellence in the Arts in Flagstaff. Serving as the City of Flagstaff’s Lead Arts and Grants Agency, Creative Flagstaff allocates Bed, Board, and Beverage (BBB) tax revenues to non-profit organizations through Arts & Science grants as General Operating Support and Project Grants. We welcome you to be an integral part of our creative community!

Initially known as Flagstaff Cultural Partners, Flagstaff Arts Council was formed in 1997 as a partnership between the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff Unified School District, and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce to serve as a local arts agency. Upon its inception, Flagstaff Arts Council took on the operation of Coconino Center for the Arts (est.1984).

Beginning in 2002, the organization has served as the City of Flagstaff’s Lead Arts Agency and Grants Agency, allocating Bed, Board, and Beverage (BBB) tax revenues to non-profit organizations through Arts & Science grants as General Operating Support and Project Grants.

Now called Creative Flagstaff, with a mission of fostering creative opportunity, the organization continues its focus on removing barriers of access to the arts while bringing regionally relevant arts, science, and cultural engagements to Flagstaff and Northern Arizona.

The organization has been served by executive directors Cheryl Brock (2000 – 2006), John Tannous (2007 – 2018), Jonathan Stone (2019 – 2024), and Julie Comnick (2025 – present), with the support of skilled staff and direction of Board members with expertise in art, culture, science, business, and education. Building on our historic legacy while retaining evolutionary flexibility, Creative Flagstaff is positioned to remain relevant and sustainable for the long term.

Vision

For Flagstaff to become the epicenter of artistic, scientific, and cultural inquiry, where Northern Arizona’s heritage and ecosystems are reflected in an innovative and inclusive community.

Mission

To provide and support arts, science, and cultural opportunities that foster an engaged, equitable, and imaginative community.

Reports & Governance

Meet the Staff

Staff members are the public face of Creative Flagstaff, working collaboratively to oversee operations and administer programs. The multifaceted team reflects expertise in art, education, events, marketing, and business administration. Creative Flagstaff is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) with a commitment to enhancing the diversity of the organization including women, minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and veterans.

Julie Comnick

Executive Director

Julie has extensive leadership experience in the arts and higher education. With a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, she is enthusiastic about galvanizing the arts, science and cultural sectors of Flagstaff through dynamic exhibitions and projects at Coconino Center for the Arts. Julie’s prior involvement with CCA includes her role as curator for the Arts & Science collaboration Parched: The Art of Water in the Southwest, and the solo exhibition of her own Arrangement for a Silent Orchestra. Both projects were awarded Creative Flagstaff’s Viola Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts. A practicing artist, Julie’s exhibition record includes national solo shows and international group exhibitions. Julie received an MFA in Painting from Montana State University and a BA from The Evergreen State College.

jcomnick@creativeflagstaff.org
928.779.2300 x 104

Kris Kosola

Finance & Grants Director

Kris has been a part of the Creative Flagstaff team since 2014. She is a business professional that has vast experience in business management, financials, grants management, presentations and workshops, entrepreneurship, and more. Kris’s love for the Arts includes theater production, ceramics, bellydancing, bluegrass spoon playing, and more. Kris enjoys spending time with her husband and their son either camping, hiking, Scouts, boating, gardening, and just enjoying life.

kkosola@creativeflagstaff.org
928.779.2300 x 103

Jay Gallegos

Venue & Programs Manager,
Lead Graphic Designer

Jay has been with Creative Flagstaff since 2020 and remains deeply committed to the community’s rich cultural heritage and creative vitality. He holds a BA in Media Arts and a BA in Sociology from The University of Arizona and earned an MFA in Art & Technology from The Ohio State University. His background includes undergraduate instruction in the Department of Art at OSU, teaching youth media workshops at the Wexner Center for the Arts, and leading youth media literacy programs in collaboration with Indigenous communities in Southern Arizona. Jay’s artistic practice focuses primarily on experimental digital video & motion graphics within a sociopolitical framework. When not booking performances at CCA he can be found enjoying the variety live shows around town or documenting his travels throughout the Southwest and beyond.

jgallegos@creativeflagstaff.org
928.779.2300 x 113

Urian Lee

Exhibitions Preparator
& Facilities Assistant

A sound engineer, artist and multi-instrumentalist, Urian brings a hands-on, collaborative approach to exhibitions and facilities at Creative Flagstaff. Drawing on expertise in carpentry, electrical work, and woodworking, he applies practical skills to help realize artists’ visions. Since 2022, he has supported live sound at CCA and has extensive experience in media productions. As a performing musician with the Southwest Emo band Naming Our Monsters, Urian combines creativity, technical skill, and collaborative experience to ensure every project is executed with care and attention. In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, pool, video games and disc golf with his dog, Meatball.

ulee@creativeflagstaff.org
928.779.2300

Sophia Bergay

Digital Marketing
Coordinator

Sophia has years of experience using a creative approach in marketing to express the heart of an organization and assist community growth. She specializes in working in the outdoor and creative arts industries, using marketing as an outlet to share things she loves with others. Outside of work she enjoys collecting vintage clothing, studying photography, going camping, and hiking with friends. Sophia is excited to support Creative Flagstaff and help highlight the people and projects that make up the arts of Coconino County.

sbergay@creativeflagstaff.org
928.779.2300

Board of Directors

Creative Flagstaff Board Members bring expertise in art, culture, science, business, and education.

OFFICERS

James K Hasapis, President
Kathleen M. McGeever, Vice President
Kevin Gustafson, Treasurer
Susan Walter, Secretary
Danielle Adams, At-Large

MEMBERS

Caitlin Burd
Alice A. Christie
Hilda Alejandra Esparza Marín
Catherine Petersen
Rebekah Lynn Pratt-Sturges
Audra Travelbee
Anthony Garcia
David McIntire

Employment & Internships

Explore open career opportunities with Creative Flagstaff & share your passion with our dedicated team.

Creative Flagstaff is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). Committed to enhancing the diversity of the organization, we welcome applications from women, minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and veterans. We encourage you to apply if you are excited about a role and believe your transferable skills or unique background would be a great asset, even if you don’t meet every qualification.

Creative Flagstaff is a creative and collaborative work environment, located at Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Current Employment & Internship Opportunities

Events Coordinator & Programs Assistant (full-time)

The Events Coordinator & Programs Assistant is a pivotal role dedicated to supporting Creative Flagstaff’s mission through dynamic public events and high-quality programming. Serving as a primary ambassador for the organization, this position ensures the seamless coordination of assigned community events and oversees exceptional venue and rental services at Coconino Center for the Arts.

>>Details & Application

Education Coordinator & Gallery Assistant (part-time)

The Education Coordinator & Gallery Assistant is responsible for coordinating educational programs offered by Creative Flagstaff and Coconino Center for the Arts. This position is a dynamic dual role that supports both educational programming and the gallery operations of Coconino Center for the Arts. The ideal candidate is passionate about the arts, has experience in education, enjoys working with youth and older adults, and possesses strong organizational skills. This position performs a vital role in the development of co-generational programming and assisting with gallery exhibitions while ensuring a welcoming and informative environment for all visitors.

>> Details & Application

Programs Assistant (on-call)

The Programs Assistant supports exhibitions, events, and programs at Coconino Center for the Arts and other community events with Creative Flagstaff. The on-call staff member takes on flexible shifts to assist with the programs of the organization, including theater performances, gallery exhibitions, educational workshops, venue rentals, and community events including Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk, and the Viola Awards. This role serves as a key representative of Creative Flagstaff and Coconino Center for the Arts during events, receptions, and community activations.

>> Details & Application

Explore open career, internship & volunteer opportunities with Creative Flagstaff & share your passion with our dedicated team.

Volunteer

Dedicated volunteers are integral to our Creative Community, generously offering time and expertise to expand the reach of Art, Science & Cultural programs. If you’re interested in being involved, please share your interests and we’ll be in touch with opportunities that match.

NPA Advanced Jazz performs at Heritage Square during ArtWalk