Erin Harkey, who helped guide the city’s post-pandemic cultural reopening, has been picked to lead one of the nation’s leading arts advocacy nonprofits.
Harkey is set to become CEO of Americans for the Arts at the end of March, the Washington, D.C.-based agency announced Wednesday.
“Along with the AFTA board of directors, I am thrilled that Erin has accepted the role as our new CEO in the next stage of our journey,” Edgar Smith, chairman of the AFTA’s board, said in a written statement.
“The power in the world today is in networks. Erin is the right leader to serve, advance, and lead the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain and support the arts in America through advocacy, research, convening and collaboration.”
The arts organization highlighted Harkey’s 20 years of working in nonprofit and government sectors, and added that her experience would be valuable “amid ongoing threats to federal funding for programs like the arts and diversity programs.”
“I am honored to lead this historic institution at such a pivotal moment for arts and culture in America,” Harkey said in a statement. “Throughout my career working with local arts agencies and cultural organizations, AFTA has been an invaluable resource, providing the research, tools, and advocacy support essential to our field.
“Now, by uniting our national network of local arts agencies and leveraging these trusted resources, I’m excited to drive transformation, strengthen collaboration, and champion innovation as we build stronger, more vibrant communities through the arts.”
In November 2021, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Harkey to lead the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic had shut down theaters, live music and Chicago’s myriad festivals and special events. She slowly brought those events back to life, with the annual Blues Fest returning in full last summer and a full-out Air and Water Show in 2022.
At the same time, Harkey initiated the Sueños Festival in Grant Park, a two-day Latin Reggaeton event that has become a popular staple on the music scene.
She also shortened Taste of Chicago to a bite-sized, three-day event in July in Grant Park — preceded by three neighborhood Saturdays in June — to lessen the drain on diminishing police resources and promote what she called arts equity. Under Lightfoot, she also played a role in bringing NASCAR racing to downtown Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson ousted Harkey in February 2024, as he assembled his team.