By Teri Vance
Mark Salinas, who runs a commercial and community design company in New York City, has been selected to fill the new arts and culture coordinator position in Carson City.
“We think Mark is going to do a fantastic job,” said Joel Dunn, executive director of the Carson City Visitors Bureau. “He has a solid resume and really showed a lot of enthusiasm for the job during his interview last week. All of us on the hiring committee were impressed.”
Salinas accepted the job Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m honored and eager to share my enthusiasm as an artist, an arts administrator, and as a community leader with the residents of Carson City and all its visitors,” he said.
The bureau launched a national recruitment campaign in May to fill the position, which will be funded through room tax dollars.
From a pool of 48 qualified candidates, the top three candidates were selected and interviewed by a hiring panel — made up of representatives from the bureau, city and cultural commission and city of Reno — in Carson City last week. The candidates answered questions from the public during a forum at the Performance Hall of the Brewery Arts Center.
Salinas owns and operates Arrows Up, a concept and design company that specializes in exhibition displays and marketing strategies. He has more than 10 years’ experience in the gallery and museum industry.
He also founded 7Train Murals, a non profit mural organization dedicated to revitalizing vacant and and vandalized public spaces.
“From the beginning of the process all the way through checking his references and talking to members of the New York Arts Council and members of the New York and Queens arts communities, Mark has stood out as someone who has the experience and expertise necessary for the job,” Dunn said. “His transition from being an artist to art administrator for gives him a unique perspective.”
Salinas will work with city officials during September to establish policies, procedures and best common practices for the position. He will start the job Oct. 1.
