Visit Carson City has hired Debra Soule as arts & culture program manager. Soule brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, having worked in municipal and state government positions in Australia, Canada and the United States. Soule, who will start in June, will be implementing, organizing, managing and evaluating programs, events and activities that promote cultural tourism and the arts in Carson City. This includes special events, festivals, public and community art projects, and collaborations with tourism industry partners, arts and culture organizations, community groups and schools to promote program awareness and to advance the overall efforts of Carson City’s arts and culture tourism programs, according to a press release. “Debra brings expert knowledge and experience to the Carson City arts and culture community,” David Peterson, executive director of Visit Carson City, said in a news release. “She understands the importance behind broad community and business involvement in cultural planning and in cultural programs. I am confident that she will cultivate strong working relationships to further develop the areas of cultural tourism, arts administration and public art, which are critical pillars of our community.” Prior to joining the Visit Carson City, Soule was a cultural planning consultant working with a number of cities and municipalities in Ontario, Canada. She was also the economic development coordinator of arts, culture and heritage for the City of Kawartha Lakes where she spent nearly seven years implementing a plan to strengthen non-profit organization operations, foster the growth of the arts and cultural businesses and enhance cultural tourism in the region. “I know from experience that cultural programs, events and businesses transform communities,” Soule said. “Not only do they boost quality of life and vibrancy, a thriving cultural scene also attracts talent and entrepreneurs, attracts visitors, invigorates the local economy and reshapes a city’s overall image. My goal is to enable creativity to flourish in Carson City by aligning people, resources and projects and by strengthening collaboration between municipalities, cultural sector organizations, businesses and the broader community based on a shared vision.” For information, go to Visit Carson City’s website atvisitcarsoncity.com.
