Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Jane Belau, Corey Elmer, and Ellen McInnis to the Minnesota State Arts Board. 

Jane Belau, of Rochester, has worked as a consultant for both the McKnight Foundation and Ceridian Corporation, and as a Vice President of Control Data Corporation.  An accomplished artist herself, she is a member of the Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists organization and has contributed art and music to many charitable organizations.  Her community arts background began with service on boards and committees for the Rochester Art Center, the Rochester Committee for the Minnesota Orchestra, the Rochester Chorale and the Oudal Chorale.  She is currently chair of the Government Forums Committee for the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and is a volunteer pianist for her church, the Mayo Clinic and other community service events.   She is appointed to the Board position for a resident of the first Congressional District for a four-year term ending January 7, 2008.  Belau fills the Board seat formerly held by Lawrence Gorrell. 

Corey Elmer, of Moorhead, is an attorney at the Vogel Law Firm (formerly the Gunhus Law Firm) in Moorhead.  He currently serves as a Commissioner and Vice Chair on the Moorhead Economic Development Authority, a member of the University of Minnesota Regent Candidate Advisory Council, and as Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Council at Minnesota State University-Moorhead.  Elmer received a B.A. from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and a B.A. from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where he studied as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar.  He received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul.  Elmer is appointed to a Board position for a resident of the seventh Congressional District for a four-year term ending January 7, 2008.  He fills the Board seat formerly held by Russell Sharon. 

Ellen McInnis, of Robbinsdale, is Director of Minnesota Government Relations at Wells Fargo & Co. in Minneapolis.  From 1984-88, she served as Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.  McInnis has served on numerous boards, including the Hennepin County Library Board, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, the Hennepin County Board of Equalization, and the Minneapolis Foundation Board.  She received a B.A. from the University of Minnesota.  McInnis is appointed to a Board position for a resident of the fifth Congressional District for a four-year term ending January 7, 2008.  She fills the Board seat formerly held by George Sutton. 

The Minnesota State Arts Board attempts to enrich the quality of life in Minnesota by making the arts accessible to all citizens, nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression, and preserving the State’s diverse artistic heritage.  The Board provides grants and services to individual artists, arts organizations, schools, colleges and universities, communities, and other organizations that sponsor arts activities.  The Board is made up of eleven members appointed by the Governor. 

--30--