SMU dean appointed to state arts board

WINONA, Minn. — Governor Tim Pawlenty announced Friday, June 20, the appointment of three members — including Michael Charron of Winona — and the reappointment of one member to the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Charron is the dean of Saint Mary’s University’s School of the Arts. He is a former professor of theater arts and chair of the theater department at Concordia University in St. Paul. He also is a former board member of the Hill Murray Community Theater and the Woodbury Fine Arts Council. He holds a Master of Fine Arts and Theater degree from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater, English and secondary education from Saint Mary’s. Charron is appointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires Jan. 2, 2012. He replaces Jane Belau on the board.

Other appointments include: Brooke Barsness of Fergus Falls and Mary Beth Schubert of Inver Grove Heights. Ellen McInnis of Robinsdale was reappointed for another four-year term.

The Minnesota State Arts Board attempts to enrich the quality of life in Minnesota by making the arts accessible to all citizens, nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression and preserving the state’s diverse artistic heritage. The board provides grants and services to individual artists, arts organizations, schools, colleges and universities, communities and other organizations that sponsor arts activities. The board is made up of 11 members appointed by the governor.