Indiana Arts Commission Announces New Team Members, Staffing Changes

Jordan Adams joined the Arts Commission in April as the Artist Services Program Manager. In this role, she oversees the agency’s programming for artists, including the On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator and the Next Steps Creative Business Program. Jordan is an Indianapolis native who attended Broad Ripple Magnet High School for Arts and Humanities and went on to study organizational leadership & supervision and communications at Purdue University. Jordan has a love for volunteerism, public service, community engagement, and entrepreneurship.  

Téa Franco stepped into the role of Communications Manager in June. Téa joins the Arts Commission with a background in communication and writing, having worked previously with a Main Street America Project, a technology incubator, and the South Carolina Press Association. In 2020, Téa graduated from Winthrop University, where she earned a Bachelor of Mass Communication and minors in creative writing and political science. She then earned a Master of Fine Arts in fiction writing. As the Communications Manager, Téa will be responsible for writing and publishing content in a variety of channels, including press releases, newsletters, social media, the agency’s website, and more.

Suzette Hartsfield-Jones also joined the Arts Commission staff in June where she serves as the Contracting & Financial Operations Coordinator. Suzette is a graduate of the DePauw School of Music earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a minor in theater. Suzette has previously worked as a manager and supervisor at The Cake Bake Shop and Java House, respectively; and teaches voice, piano, and early childhood music classes. In her role as the Contracting & Financial Operations Coordinator, Suzette will interface with grantees and assist with overall management of the Arts Commission’s grants and contracting process.  

André Zhang Sonera joined the Indiana Arts Commission in July as Deputy Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships. Originally from San Sebastián, Puerto Rico, André received his Master of Public Affairs in Policy Analysis from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University (IUPUI) in 2021. His previous work experiences at the White House, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations, the Office of the Indiana Lt. Governor, and the City of Indianapolis Mayor’s Office have nurtured his passion for public service and government. In his spare time, he proudly serves as a Big Brother for BBBS of Central Indiana and sits on the IndyHub Foundation Board of Directors. 

Chapin Schnick was recently promoted to the Grants, Research, and Technology Manager position. Schnick has been with the Arts Commission since 2018 and previously served as the Contracts, Operations, and Information Technology Assistant. She has ten years of experience in art education and was the 2017 Indiana Art Educator of the Year, the 2017 Indiana Arts Homecoming Instagrant Winner, and a member of the 2018 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator. Chapin earned bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts Education and Ceramics from Purdue University, a Master of Art Education from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from IUPUI. 

Connie Brahm was also recently promoted to the Marketing and Communications Director position. Brahm previously served as the Communications and Community Engagement Manager and joined the Arts Commission staff in 2021. Prior to joining the Arts Commission, Brahm worked as an Events Intern with Indiana Humanities and as a Graduate Assistant at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she received a Bachelors in Marketing and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration.