In this special episode of Out and About, WCBU's Jody Holtz speaks with ArtsPartners of Central Illinois Executive Director Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright about her extensive background and incoming role as host of Out and About.
Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright holds a master’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy in the digital humanities field from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with a teaching background in the sciences and humanities. In addition to her role as Executive Director at ArtsPartners, she is Affiliate Faculty and Coordinator of Public History at Bradley University. Past roles include Executive Director of Big Picture Peoria, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and as an educator at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Mae currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois and the City of Peoria’s Public Arts Advisory Commission. In the past, she sat on the Board of Directors of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Acorn Equality Fund, Public Relations Association of Central Illinois, and ART, Inc., along with various other committees with area organizations like Align Peoria and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois.
Mae received the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Award, which honors emerging leaders between the ages of 25 and 40 who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and serve as a role model for young women. In 2020, she received the 25 Women in Leadership Award from WEEK - 25 News. She is a member of Americans for the Arts and Women in Leadership of Central Illinois.
In her spare time, Mae enjoys reading, gardening with her husband Jonathan, and catching up on podcasts. Mae will officially make her hosting debut on next week's episode of Out and About.
