Montana Arts Council Staff

Chief Financial Officer

Jenifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis from Montana State University, and it's a degree she's used for more than 30 years in state government. Her jobs during this time include working as an income tax auditor for the Department of Revenue, Budget Analyst and Accountant/Bureau Chief for the Department of Administration and—most importantly—has served as Chief Financial Officer for the Montana Arts Council since April 2016.

Jenifer enjoys working for the Montana Arts Council in part because the agency's small size helps her contribute meaningfully to its mission. She believes it's important to keep art alive for all citizens to enjoy.

When not at work Jenifer enjoys going to concerts, comedy shows, Flathead Lake and MSU Bobcat football games.

Jenifer's Roles:  Budget | Accounting | Audit | Procurement | Contracts | HR | Security | Facilities

jeniferalger@mt.gov | (406) 444-6489

Arts Education Director

Monica has a combined 27 years’ experience working in the arts as an administrator, visual artist and educator, having earned her BA in Art at the College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University and an MA in Education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Since returning to Montana for a second time in 2001, Monica’s experiences have included the positions of Executive Director of the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council and Visual Art teacher at Hamilton High School. With deep interests in multidisciplinary arts, community development through the arts and arts integration in K-12 education, Monica is very happy to be working alongside outstanding educators, artists, and community organizations to advance arts education initiatives in Montana for students of all ages.

monica.grable@mt.gov | (406) 444-6522

Deputy Director, Grants Director and 504/ADA Accessibility Coordinator

Kristin has a degree in Biology/Pre-med from Colorado College. She is fascinated by technology, design, and living creatively. Raised on a farm on the Hi-Line, her career has included traveling the country with Warren Miller Entertainment and working as a program director/instructor for a martial arts school.

kburgoyne@mt.gov | (406) 444-6449

Communication Director

Eric has worked for more than 30 years in the fields of communications, marketing, branding, and public relations. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Montana State University, he's plied the trades of graphic designer, art director, creative director, copywriter, photographer, videographer, and second-string barista. Eric’s work on behalf of numerous private and governmental communications efforts include advocating for public health and safety initiatives, tourism, higher education, and the arts in Montana.

Eric is passionate about working for the Montana Arts Council because it lets him use his powers for good, helping to support Montana's individuals and organizations pursue the dream of making a difference through art. 

Eric's professional interests also find their way into his personal writing and photography, which often center on Big Sky Country's history, landscape, and outdoor pursuits. His photography, fiction, and essays have appeared in Montana Quarterly, Big Sky Journal, Backpacker, Montana Outdoors, and several literary anthologies. When he’s not doing any of that, Eric's probably getting lost in Montana’s public lands or bailing water on its rivers. 

Eric's Roles:  Press Relations | Social Media | Oversight of State Of the Arts | Print and Multimedia Production | Oversight of Montana Poet Laureate Program

Eric.Heidle@mt.gov | (406) 444-6133

Executive Director

Bio Here

NewDirector@mt.gov | (406) 444-6133

Program Officer

Brian has an M.A. in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University and a B.A. in Sociology from Linfield College. He has worked at the Montana Arts Council since 2020. Prior to that, he worked around the West in an array of roles with nonprofits, schools, cooperative extension system, and even landscaping outfits.

Working for the Montana Arts Council allows Brian to learn more every day about Montana communities and the artists who help those communities thrive.

Brian likes to be outside with his family whenever possible. Bike rides, camp outs, river floats, and garden workdays are a few of his favorite ways to get out in the sunshine.

Brian’s Roles: Strategic Investment Grants | Artist Innovation Awards | Montana Circle of American Masters | Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

brian.moody2@mt.gov | (406) 444-4700

Business Specialist

As our Business Specialist, Ginny is responsible for managing data, office administration and general support functions for the agency. She uses h er skills to support our staff as we work together to strengthen the arts and our creative community in Montana. Ginny and her husband Bill have two children—a grown son and teenage daughter along with their beloved dog Sandy. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, camping and taking in all that the Big Sky has to offer.

Ginny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Auburn University, Alabama. After college, she worked as a public school teacher, private preschool teacher, and as an office manager. In addition, she founded and ran a property damage restoration company with her husband for 10 years. Prior to joining MAC, Ginny worked for a national accounting firm managing processes and databases for its Helena office. And when she’s not on the job, Ginny enjoys giving back to the Helena community; she’s volunteered with Helena Food Share, Lewis and Clark Humane Society, the Friendship Center, Habitat for Humanity, Prickly Pear Land Trust and Intermountain’s Festival of Trees.

virginia.newman@mt.gov | (406) 444-6354

Folklorist

A passionate and community-oriented recent graduate of the University of Oregon’s folklore and public culture master’s program, Taylor works with MAC on a contract basis to collect, interpret, and promote traditional and Indigenous arts, crafts, music, and folkways in Montana. 

folkarts@mt.gov | 406-209-8839