Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Brooke Barsness, Michael Charron, and Mary Beth Schubert, and the reappointment of Ellen McInnis to the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Barsness, of Fergus Falls, is the director of advancement and the executive director of the Fergus Area College Foundation. She has experience in media relations, fundraising, budget preparation and is a former consultant to a number of arts organizations. Barsness holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from St. Olaf College. She is appointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012. She replaces Corey Elmer on the board.

Charron, of Winona, is the dean of St. Mary’s University School of the Arts. He is a former professor of theater arts and chair of the theater department at Concordia University in St. Paul. Charron is a former board member of the Hill Murray Community Theater and the Woodbury Fine Arts Council. He holds a master of fine arts and theater degree from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor of arts degree in theater, English and secondary education from St. Mary’s College. Charron is appointed as a public member to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012. He replaces Jane Belau on the board.

Schubert, of Inver Grove Heights, is the vice president of corporate affairs for Comcast, where she is responsible for development and oversight over all communications efforts including media relations, employee communications, and community investment. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of St. Thomas. She is a member of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra governing board, and is a board member and marketing chair for the Ordway Circle of Stars. She is a recipient of Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” award. Schubert is appointed as a public member to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011. She replaces Diana Lewis on the board.

McInnis, of Robinsdale, is director of Minnesota government relations at Wells Fargo & Co. in Minneapolis. From 1984-88, she served as executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. McInnis has served on numerous boards, including the Hennepin County Library Board, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, the Hennepin County Board of Equalization, and the Minneapolis Foundation Board. She received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Minnesota. She is reappointed as public member to a four-year term that expires January 2, 2012.

The Minnesota State Arts Board attempts to enrich the quality of life in Minnesota by making the arts accessible to all citizens, nurturing creative activities, encouraging the development of innovative forms of artistic expression, and preserving the State’s diverse artistic heritage. The Board provides grants and services to individual artists, arts organizations, schools, colleges and universities, communities, and other organizations that sponsor arts activities. The Board is made up of 11 members appointed by the Governor.