For Immediate Release
October 6, 2005

Artist Trust Names Fidelma McGinn Executive Director

SEATTLE, Oct. 6, 2005 – Artist Trust named Fidelma McGinn as its new Executive Director effective November 7th 2005, bringing to a close an intensive, six-month search.

“After conducting a national search, we are thrilled to select Fidelma McGinn. She is a strong, charismatic leader who already knows our organization and our Washington State community,” said Artist Trust Board President Sarah Novotny. “As Artist Trust approaches its 20th Anniversary, we will look to Fidelma to help grow our core offerings, such as Artist Information Services and grant programs. Her strong skills in development and advocacy will be instrumental in guiding the organization to meet the goals and objectives of our current strategic plan.”

"This is a smart move by the Artist Trust Board of Trustees to identify and hire Fidelma McGinn,” said Peter Donnelly, president and CEO of ArtsFund. “She was an exemplary director in her past responsibilities, and recruiting her back from San Francisco for this important post is a real coup. It certainly bodes well for Artist Trust's future.”

Artist Trust 2003 Media Fellowship winner, filmmaker, and Studio Director for Northwest Film Forum, Dave Hanagan said “Fidelma has been a passionate supporter of media artists in the Northwest. I can’t wait to see the impact she has through her new position at Artist Trust and how it will benefit artists in Washington.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about returning to the Northwest to lead Artist Trust into the next phase of its development,” said McGinn “I have long-admired the organization and its vital support of individual artists.” McGinn is currently the Executive Director of the Film Arts Foundation in San Francisco.

McGinn was also the Executive Director of 911 Media Arts in Seattle between 1997 and 2003. She serves as the President of the Board for the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC). Before moving to the non-profit sector in 1997, McGinn worked for Microsoft Corporation.