Administrative Staff

The following staff members guide the Art Center’s daily operations and ensure every visitor has a high quality experience.

Jordan DeGree

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jordan has a B.S. in English Education from Iowa State and a M.Ed. with an emphasis on educational leadership from the American College of Education.  He is the founder and Executive Director of the Dubuque Art Center, where he is committed to supporting a culturally vibrant and equitable community.  Jordan’s previous experience includes serving as English Department Chair at Big Picture High School in Chicago and Instructional Leader at the Colorado Outdoor Education Center.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Jordan volunteers on the Every Child Every Promise Out of School Time Committee, the Fall Into Art Downtown Gallery Tour Committee, the University of Wisconsin Platteville Nohr Gallery Committee, the Carnegie Stout Public Library Art Subcommittee, the Dubuque 2.0 Steering Committee, and the Youth Transportation Sub-Committee.

Email: Jordan@dbqartcenter.org

 

Jess Ochoa

ART SCHOOL DIRECTOR

Jess has a B.A. in art from the University of Iowa.  As art school director, she coordinates the Dubuque Art Center’s educational programs, including classes and outreach programs.  Jess has experience working in educational roles at non-profits in Iowa City and Montana, and most recently spent two years teaching English in Taiwan.

Email: Jess@dbqartcenter.org

 

Kelly Cornelius

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Kelly graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in History.  While in college, she volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for  Humanity and local youth programs.  Before beginning her position at the Art Center, Kelly was a School Coordinator for Everybody Wins! Iowa, a non-profit youth literacy organization based out of Des Moines.

Email: Kelly@dbqartcenter.org

 

Geri Lang

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Geri is a graduate of Loras College, where she studied marketing. Geri’s positive attitude and attention to detail ensure that things at the Art Center run smoothly and that everyone who visits has a great experience. Geri also helps coordinate our two community websites, DubuqueYouth.com and DubuqueCulture.com, which help promote youth opportunities and arts and culture, respectively, in and around Dubuque.

Email: Geri@dbqartcenter.org

 

April Holtan

OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

Whether you’re painting pottery or coming weekly for a class, April will welcome you at the front desk most evenings.  April owns her own photography business (http://www.blueskyphotographs.net).  She has also volunteered with various youth organizations including after school programs and coaching basketball.

Email: April@dbqartcenter.org