Arts Midwest is delighted to welcome Amy Spadafore, Emily Tau, Zechariah Van Harris III, and L. Sam Zhang to our Board of Directors. Representing expertise in community theater, public affairs, historical research, and cultural education, these new members bring passion for advancing creativity across the Midwest.
“I’m thrilled that Amy, Emily, Zach, and Sam are joining us on the Board,” said Brian Tiemann, Board Chair. “They bring a wealth of experience, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we work to advance creativity in the Midwest.”
“Amy, Emily, Zach, and Sam are fantastic additions to our Board of Directors,” said President & CEO Torrie Allen. “They will be able to offer important insights about the creative field. I’m looking forward to working with them in the coming year.”
Amy Spadafore
Amy Spadafore is the Managing Director of Pit & Balcony Community Theatre in Saginaw, Michigan. She is thoroughly engaged with the arts sector both locally and statewide, where she sits on the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. Amy enjoys advocating for arts and culture initiatives, collaborating with economic developers, and creatively working toward a more vibrant, inviting, and inclusive community.
Amy believes in the power of art to inspire, build, connect, heal, and collaborate, and is continuously seeking opportunities to creatively solve problems through collaboration and artful innovation. When she is not using art to change the world, Amy loves sports, cooking, painting, and any reason to be outside with her husband, Dylan, their son, DJ, and her loyal sidekick, Orville the Theatre Pug.
“As a proud Midwesterner and arts advocate, I’m excited for the opportunity to explore and impact the rich arts landscape our region has to offer,” said Amy. “I’m looking forward to strengthening relationships with and being a service to the Midwest’s state arts agencies.”
Emily Tau
Emily Tau is a passionate advocate and arts enthusiast dedicated to championing equity and community engagement. With a degree in Public Relations and Theatre Arts from Marquette University, Emily has shaped her career around the transformative power of storytelling and public service. Currently serving as Public Affairs Director for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, she brings her commitment to advocacy into the public sphere, fostering meaningful relationships and advancing initiatives that uplift Milwaukee’s communities.
Recognized as one of Wisconsin’s 35 Most Influential Asian American Leaders and named one of Marcus Performing Arts Center’s 50 Future Women of the Arts, Emily actively champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, seeing the arts as a powerful catalyst for change and a bridge between people and culture.
“I am thrilled to join the Arts Midwest Board because I believe in the transformative power of the arts to bridge communities, inspire change, and drive regional economic impact,” said Emily. “I look forward to contributing to work that not only enriches lives through the arts, but also advocates for diversity and equity, making creative expression accessible to all.”
Zechariah Van Harris III
Zechariah “Zach” Van Harris III is a researcher, content creator, and social scientist with backgrounds in archaeology, anthropology, sociology, and filmmaking. He has been active with the South Dakota African American History Museum (SDAAHM) since 2017, starting out as a student researcher. In 2020, he became researcher and curator for the museum, and began guest speaking at schools, leading tours, raising funds, and renovating the entire museum. In 2021, Zach established scholarship and internship programs for local student artists. He was among the Board of Directors that championed getting Black History Month officially recognized in the state of South Dakota, and for the Mayor of Sioux Falls to declare a proclamation honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday.
In 2023–2024, along with history professor Dr. Will Wright, Augustana University, and student interns, he identified and documented hundreds of African American Heritage Sites in Sioux Falls dating back to the 1870s. Also in 2024, Zach successfully commissioned creative South Dakota artists to help introduce a new season of SDAAHM exhibits titled “Space Exploration & Navigation through Black History.”
Zach is also founder and consultant of Galaxy Consulting Group, LLC. He helps individuals with their personal and professional growth and development. He coordinates micro workshops and mentorship programs in the Sioux Empire for youth and regularly assists elders and retired seniors with daily tasks and errands. Zach lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Laura. They enjoy traveling and being outdoors in nature.
“I am honored to join the Board of Arts Midwest as we help water the seeds of creativity and culture in our Upper Midwest region,” said Zach.
L. Sam Zhang
L. Sam Zhang is the author and illustrator of the picture book series The First Chinese Festivals. She is a 2023–24 National Leaders of Color Fellow, and a finalist for the 2024 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship.
Sam was born in Shanghai and grew up in Buffalo, New York. After getting a BS in Biology from Cornell and PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, she spent a decade on the West Coast doing marketing and design for startups, research institutes, and nonprofits. She now lives in Michigan and is the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy, a nonprofit organization that provides Chinese language, arts, and cultural experiences to youth from all backgrounds.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected to join the Arts Midwest Board of Directors,” said Sam. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve the organization and help support the vibrant and diverse arts and culture communities throughout the region.”