Member-Led Forums Chair Dr. Anne W. Smith

Dr. Anne W. Smith has had a dual career as nonprofit arts management educator and performing arts executive. 

“I’m (r)etired,” she says, “but also senior adjunct professor, dissertation reader, Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University [GGU], SF; and adjunct professor, graduate Performing Arts Leadership Management program (online) at Shenandoah University Conservatory. For more than a decade was full time faculty in Arts and Humanities and chair of the Graduate Arts Administration program at Golden Gate University. Previously held other faculty appointments at Showa University of Music, Japan, HEC, University of Montreal, American University, Washington, D.C., and College of Charleston, SC. Started as high school teacher of Humanities, Speech and Theatre."

Academic degrees are Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Certificate (English) from the University at Albany, Master of Arts (Curriculum & Teaching) from Teachers College Columbia University, and D.P.A. (Public Administration) Golden Gate University. Has had a long leadership career in a wide variety of national, state and local arts agencies that parallels ongoing governance experience at California nonprofit boards and organizations—including service with San Francisco Arts Commission, Chanticleer, Commonwealth Club World Affairs, Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), Theatre Bay Area, California Arts Council, International Journal of Arts Management, Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management at University of San Francisco, and California Lawyers for the Arts. 

Highlights of executive (non-academic) work include positions at the California Arts Council, San Francisco Arts Commission, ODC Dance, Dance Spectrum, Book Club of California, San Francisco Center for the Book and San Francisco Circus Center. At GGU she gained experience in "herding cats" as chair of the Faculty Senate and editor of the Faculty News. Currently she is a very proud Board Trustee of the Chanticleer vocal ensemble and founding Board member of the Medical Clown Project.

"Otherwise" she notes, "I've travelled the world, practice Dayan QiGong, read a lot, and love going with friends, and via bus, BART and LYFT to music (other than Chanticleer concerts), dance and theatre performances all over the Bay Area.”