The Town of Normal has staffed Illinois Art Station with an entirely new team.
In a press release, the town announced three new staff members, replacing those who worked for the Normal nonprofit that donated itself to the town earlier this year.
The town assumed control of Illinois Art Station on April 1. Both full-time employees, executive director Hannah Johnson and education coordinator Joey Hatch, were not retained as part of the transition. Johnson confirmed with WGLT that she had applied for the job.
The children's art center will now be managed by Nicole Learned, who taught elementary art in Unit 5. Heartland Community College child development specialist Rachel Ratliff will lead education.
K- 8 art and Spanish teacher Lauren Bachman was also hired to work as a part-time educator.
“We are excited for a new era for Illinois Art Station and the Town of Normal. The community can expect continued quality art programming, with a more focused outreach to public schools,” said Cultural Arts Director Beth Whisman in a statement. Whisman also leads Children’s Discovery Museum, where Learned and Ratliff have previously worked.
“We will continue homeschool programs and Saturdays at the Station and maintain intentional efforts to reach underserved and at-risk populations. We look forward to fulfilling the organization’s mission of providing children, youth and families with transformative learning through hands-on experiences in the visual arts.”
In March, organization announced it would donate its land, building and financial assets as part of a long-term sustainability plan. In exchange, Normal assumed the cost and labor of operating the facility for at least the next two decades.
