Executive director of Bellingham’s Allied Arts agency is leaving for new chapter
Kelly Hart, executive director of Bellingham nonprofit Allied Arts will be stepping down in February after 17 years in the position.
After her raising her children in Whatcom County and recently finding herself with an empty nest, Hart said she saw it as an opportunity to begin a new chapter and made the difficult decision to step away and move to Olympia.
The Allied Arts is “the lead agency in cultivating our creative cultural region by empowering local artists, fostering arts education, and engaging enthusiasts of the arts,” according to the nonprofit agency’s website.
Hart grew up in Tacoma with a lifelong love of the arts. When she moved to Bellingham after running a high-end gallery is Idaho, she understood the impacts the arts can have on individuals and a wider community. That’s what drew her to Allied Arts.
“Kelly’s leadership has transformed Allied Arts into a stronger, more dynamic organization that serves the entire community. Her vision, passion and commitment to the arts will leave a lasting legacy in Whatcom County,” Scott Ward, president of Allied Arts, said in a news release. “We are deeply grateful for her years of service.”
Through her time at the organization, Hart has seen several art shows, galleries and exhibitions. This year her focus has the Since Time Immemorial Program, which involves local indigenous artists visiting schools to teach children traditions through art.
“We’ve really shifted over the last few years to focus on celebrating our community’s cultures and our cultural identity,” Hart said. “To celebrate them through their art and through their traditions and things, has been really rewarding.”
While Hart has helped the organization with projects, she said one of her favorite achievements is the Allied Arts thrift store. The store sells reused art supplies at an affordable price, with a goal of bringing fine arts into more homes throughout Whatcom County, according to Hart.
The store, located at 1213 Cornwall Ave., shares space with the Allied Arts gallery, which has been good for the store and gallery, Hart said. She watched the store bloom during the COVID-19 outbreak — when people were in need of things to do — and it hasn’t slowed down.
“It’s been amazing to get to know these people and see their energy, see them get their energy and their confidence back up and things and being creative and making things for each other. It’s been really neat,” Hart said.
Hart does not yet know which exact day in February will be her last. She said she will attend the annual membership show Feb. 6. There has not been an announcement on who will replace Hart when she leaves.
While Hart isn’t sure of her next steps career-wise, she knows it will be in the arts.
“It’s been quite a ride,” Hart said. “It’s been really fun.”