PORT ANGELES — Kayla Oakes, the new executive director of the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts, brings a knowledge of the local arts community to the Port Angeles nonprofit.
Oakes has worked with the foundation as a volunteer and board member for the past eight years. She became the executive director last week, replacing recently-retired Dan Maguire.
Oakes, 43, has a background in dance and theater. She intends to build upon the foundation’s strengths and expand its performance art offerings.
“I see lots of opportunity for our community to join forces and make this an even more vibrant arts community than it already is,” Oakes said in a Friday interview.
Oakes, who has worked for numerous dance schools and theater companies on the West Coast, moved to Port Angeles from Boise, Idaho in 2005.
She teaches modern dance at the Ballet Workshop of Port Angeles, volunteers as a dance instructor at local schools and was recruited to coordinate JFFA’s Celebrate Diversity program.
Oakes said she applied for the directorship because her skills aligned with the position and because she was eager to “get back into the nonprofit world.”
One of her goals is to expand the foundation’s presence on the North Olympic Peninsula by attracting larger audiences from Port Townsend, Sequim and the West End.
“I’d also like to diversify our programming to widen our audience reach,” Oakes said.
“I’d love to engage the millennials and parents with young children and families.”
The foundation was born from the 25-year-old Juan de Fuca Festival held on Memorial Day Weekend at the Vern Burton Community Center and other Port Angeles venues.
Under Maguire’s leadership, JFFA expanded to a year-round season concert series and now offers educational programs and a performing arts camp for youth.
“One of my big passions is educational outreach,” said Oakes, a parent of two children in the Port Angeles School District.
The concert series averages about a dozen shows per year featuring artists from a wide range of genres.
Oakes said she envisions adding smaller venues to the season concert series to diversify the programming.
Two new concert venues — the Port Angeles Waterfront Center and Lincoln Theater — will further expand the performing arts scene.
“I’m really excited about the future of arts in Port Angeles,” Oakes said.
JFFA board Chairman Eric Neurath said Oakes “stood out” among three finalists the board interviewed.
“She had a lot of insight to what we do as an organization,” Neurath said, “and she’s aware of the challenges that we face as far as keeping the organization strong and up to date and attracting a new audience.
“We’re excited to have her,” he added.
Oakes was tabbed executive director in early December. Maguire spent a few weeks helping Oakes get up to speed before he retired after a 10-year run.
“He was very generous,” Oakes said of her predecessor.
Administrative Assistant Carol Pope is staying with the foundation, providing organizational continuity and a “big help to Kayla,” Neurath said in a Saturday interview.
Neurath said Oakes is adept in social media and public speaking.
“As a spokesperson for the organization, she’s going to be great,” Neurath said.
“My guess is she’ll bring a little bit more diversity of programming.”
For information on the Juan de Fuca Foundation, visit www.jffa.org.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
