Icicle Creek Center for the Arts names Monica Miller its new Executive Director

LEAVENWORTH – Icicle Creek Center for the Arts’s (ICCA) Board of Directors have named Monica Miller as its new Executive Director (ED).

Miller, who holds a BA in Studio Arts from The College of William and Mary and an MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University, will succeed Phil Lacey. Lacey has transitioned to the ED position at Icicle Fund, a nonprofit that supports arts organizations, including ICCA, in North Central Washington.

“Whenever I have been [on the ICCA campus], I have felt the energy of place and how it can act as a catalyst for creativity and human connection,” said Miller, who went on to state that she also appreciates how the “beauty of ICCA is inspiring to both artists and the community.” 

Miller has spent the last decade as the director of Ellensburg’s Gallery One Visual Arts Center, a community-focused gallery featuring rotating exhibitions of Pacific Northwest contemporary art and art classes.

Her work at Gallery One, and previously as Director of Seattle’s Fremont Solstice Parade, has left Miller with a “holistic view of what it takes to work for a non-profit with a mission to support artists. That’s my passion: advocating for artists and to help create and grow resources and infrastructure needed for them to provide opportunities for the greater community.” 

ICCA, which faced existential financial stress prior to, and during the first half of, the pandemic, has since placed itself in a state of long-term financial stability. Over the last several years, “the Board, Phil [Lacey], and the staff made smart choices and have done a great job shoring up the programming by figuring out which programs both work artistically and are viable financially,” relates Miller. 

“They’ve laid solid groundwork for the next steps, which include continuing to build on the demand for beautiful experiences in the arts. Attendance is proving that the community wants a diversity of events. I’m excited about their choices and want to build upon those kinds of programs that represent and reflect the passions, interests, and heritage of the community.” 

Miller takes the helm at ICCA in February. 

ICCA, founded by the late Harriet Bullitt in 1995, has also named Bob Maher as the President of its Board. The previous president, Ellen Beardsley, remains on the Board with the title of Past President. 

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior (Class of 2025) at Cascade High School. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Cascade High School Publications Group.