The Oregon Arts Commission’s new assistant director, former Corvallis Arts Center Executive Director David Huff, will join the Commission on May 17, 2013.

Prior to his two-year position at The Arts Center, Huff was curator and exhibition coordinator at Pro Arts, the largest community-supported arts nonprofit in Oakland, CA. He is a graduate of California College of the Arts. In Corvallis, Huff worked in concert with The Arts Center’s board of directors to strengthen programs, advocate for the role of the arts in civic life, and balance the center’s budget, following city-wide budget reductions. Under his leadership, The Arts Center increased its arts programs serving incarcerated youth and expanded its visionary ArtsCare program offered in partnership with Samaritan Health Services. The Center’s thought-provoking exhibition, The Last Supper, showcasing the work of Corvallis artist Julie Green, was profiled in The New York Times and has since traveled to other venues.

As Oregon Arts Commission’s assistant director, Huff will oversee grants, technology and finances, which includes helping to make and award grants, tracking the money and following up with artists and art organizations.

Christine D’Arcy, executive director of the Arts Commission, said, “David Huff is recognized as one of Oregon’s most promising young arts managers. He knows the Arts Commission’s work not only as a grantee but as a participant in the Leadership Exchanges that are part of our capacity building work for arts organizations. His work at The Arts Center in Corvallis has brought national recognition to Oregon. We look forward to his joining our team.”

Adam Davis, the current director of The Center for Civic Reflection in Chicago, will join Oregon Humanities as executive director on August 5.

The Center for Civic Reflection is a national organization that uses the humanities to encourage diverse groups to think and talk about the meaning, value, and impact of their work in the world.While working for CCR, since 2007, Davis focused on building community and strengthening commitment to civic life.Davis also co-founded Camp of Dreams (2004-08), a nonprofit providing year-round programming for under-served youth in Chicago.

He teaches philosophy and literature in the Odyssey Project, an analog to Oregon Humanities’ Humanity in Perspective program for low-income adults and he has worked with the Illinois Humanities Council. He holds a doctorate in political philosophy from the University of Chicago.

Carole Shellhart, Oregon Humanities’ director of finance and operations, will serve as interim executive director until Davis’ tenure begins.