Media contact:

Michael Wallenfels

Communications Manager

ArtsWA/The Washington State Arts Commission

PO Box 42675 Olympia, WA 98504

michael.wallenfels@arts.wa.gov

360-252-9831

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2023 | View as Webpage

Washington State Arts Commission Names Cheryl Wilcox to Lead Tribal Cultural Affairs Program

Program will be first of its kind in the United States

Olympia, WA - The Washington State Arts Commission announced that Cheryl Wilcox will manage its new Tribal Cultural Affairs Program, the first of its kind in the country. 

Wilcox, Cowlitz member and Elder, has more than 15 years of experience collaborating with Tribes. She is passionate about supporting Tribes and aims to develop programs that respect and honor cultural values, traditions, and history. Wilcox is active in Cowlitz culture, traditions, ceremonies, and the preservation of ancestral knowledge. 

As a Washington State tribal member with over 14 years of professional experience within state government, Cheryl brings a deep understanding of the Government-to Government relationships between the federal government, state government, and tribal governments.

“The Tribal Cultural Affairs Program is an important step forward for the Arts Commission and for our state as we look for ways to meaningfully serve Indian Country," said Karen Hanan, Executive Director of ArtsWA. "And Cheryl, with her wealth of experience, is the perfect person to lead the program forward.”

Prior to joining Washington State Arts Commission, Wilcox was the Tribal Liaison for the national consulting firm Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. During her tenure at the firm, Wilcox created a tribal outreach and communications plan based on in-depth research, key informant interviews, and literature reviews. In Washington State, Wilcox served as the Tribal Wellness Grants Manager at the Washington State Health Care Authority. As Grants Manager, she regularly collaborated with Tribes across the state.

“There are few things in life more important to me than supporting Tribal arts, culture, history, and traditional ways," said Wilcox. "This is an exciting program that has the potential of expanding understanding and appreciation for our Washington Tribes’ culture, knowledge, and arts.”

Wilcox is involved in traditional medicine gathering, preparing, and sharing, beadwork, gathering and weaving red cedar, sweetgrass, and bear grass, indigenous childbirth education, drum making, as well as many different ceremonies and traditional gatherings. 

Photo of Cheryl Wilcox by Derick Wright.

About ArtsWA

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission, a state government agency established in 1961. ArtsWA works to be a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state. Programs include Art in Public Places, Arts in Education, Grants to Organizations, and other special projects. For more information, visit arts.wa.gov.