2009 SMoCA Contemporary Catalyst Nominee Nan Ellin
At the annual benefit, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art honors a group of special individuals whose accomplishments reflect the ideals of creativity, innovation and cultural community that are at the heart of the Museums mission. This annual award acknowledges the cultural entrepreneurs and out-of-the-box thinkers in our midst—those who truly have built the foundations of a creative culture here and on whose shoulders we all stand. Such spirited, entrepreneurial individuals have—through their professional or civic activities—raised the profile of contemporary art, architecture and design in the Valley. We call these individuals Contemporary Catalysts. Nan Ellin is a widely recognized scholar who applies her study of urban planning and public policy far beyond the walls of academia. She is an involved citizen who works effectively for the betterment of the metro area through her stalwart service on public boards and committees, as well as her essays for the Arizona Republic and other publications. Nan strives to help improve the built environment and to shape a community that is vital, diverse and environmentally conscious. She has a special interest in seeding change by bringing people together to solve problems. With the Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture, Nan initiated the book Phoenix: 21st Century City (2006). She is a champion for the incorporation of arts and culture into downtown revitalization and works with her students on the frontlines of urban …