At its Wednesday, February 28 meeting, Creative Flagstaff Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Jonathan Stone and appointed Coconino Center for the Arts Exhibitions & Programs Director Julie Comnick as Interim Executive Director. Jonathan Stone joined Creative Flagstaff in 2019. His last day will be the 16th Annual Viola Awards on March 23, 2024.

During Jonathan’s tenure at Creative Flagstaff, he led the organization during some of its most challenging times, through 2019 fiscal insolvency and the pandemic. Through his leadership and vision during his tenure, Creative Flagstaff:

• Adopted its first-ever comprehensive strategic plan: Discover Creativity, Discover Opportunity.
• Set the course for the development of the first-ever Coconino Center for the Arts strategic plan, mission, and vision and the creation of the Coconino Center for the Arts Advisory Board.
• Transformed the Art and Science grant programs, which during his tenure awarded $2.5 million to over 70 art, science, and cultural entities including grants specific for pandemic response.
• Modernized Coconino Center for the Arts, including upgrading program and function spaces, installation of first-ever A/V system in the theatre, and more.
• Created and piloted ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona.

Jonathan will be continuing his previous downtown leadership career path working with downtown and cultural business district leaders, nationwide. He and his family will continue to be residents of Flagstaff.

“We are disappointed to see Jonathan leave, but are excited for the continued evolution of his career supporting nonprofits and communities,” says Jamey Hasapis, Board President. “Jonathan is leaving an important legacy with Creative Flagstaff and Coconino Center for the Arts. He is working closely with the board on Julie Comnick’s appointment and is committed to her success.”

“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work so closely with so many nonprofits, artists, and creative professionals. I have come to love Flagstaff and look forward to being an active and engaged citizen,” states Jonathan. “Creative Flagstaff has a strong team. I’ve worked with Julie Comnick throughout my tenure and know that she will be a capable and strong interim leader.”

Julie Comnick will serve as Interim Executive Director while the board develops a long-term succession plan. Comnick begins her transition to her interim role March 1.

Julie is an accomplished practicing visual artist, educator, curator, and administrator. She is the first MFA to lead Creative Flagstaff. Julie began working with Coconino Center for the Arts first as an artist in the 2015 signature exhibition Fires of Change and then as Curator for the signature exhibition Parched: The Art of Water in the Southwest from 2018-2022. She joined Creative Flagstaff as Exhibitions & Programs Director for Coconino Center for the Arts in late 2021.

In addition to Comnick’s extensive teaching experience, she has prior administrative and leadership experience as Arts & Letters Department Chair for Prescott College and as Arts Foundations Coordinator for Northern Arizona University. She previously served on the Board of Directors for Flagstaff Festival of Science. She has been instrumental in developing the leadership of the Coconino Center for the Arts Advisory Board.

“I am thankful to be trusted to serve in this interim role during this important period,” shares Julie. “I am confident that the team that Jonathan built will continue to deliver the vibrant programming and services that Creative Flagstaff is known for.”