Coarsegold native to lead county arts council

Coarsegold resident Nicole Hoke was announced as the new Interim Executive Director of the Madera County Arts Council, officials announced last month.

Established in 1982, MCAC is a private nonprofit organization which serves as the official partner for the California Arts Council to promote and support the arts, culture and creative expression in Madera County.

Hoke’s appointment follows the departure of Tamar Karkazian.

MCAC operates the 5,000 square foot Circle Gallery in Madera, hosting annual exhibits including Celebrate Agriculture with the Arts, Yosemite Renaissance and others. The organization offers instruction for schools and workshops for all ages.

Its programs currently include the Madera Theatre Project, After School Program, Family Night with the Arts and Poetry Out Loud.

Hoke is a musician, artist, nonprofit manager and event producer dedicated to fostering arts in Madera County. Prior to her position as interim director, Hoke served on the board of directors for MCAC and has contracted with Sierra Art Trails and Yosemite Renaissance. In 2022 she began stewardship of Vision Academy of the Arts.

“Nicole is a longtime resident of Madera County and a dedicated arts advocate with a strong passion for live music, whether as an attendee, performer or producer,” according to the announcement.

“Her deep connection to the local arts community and her commitment to its growth make her well suited for this leadership role. We look forward to her leadership and the experience she brings to this next chapter.”

In a past career life, Hoke was a spatial analyst and environmental planner specializing in school facilities planning. She was the project lead for the Site Selection and CEQA Initial Study/MND for the new Oakhurst campus of Madera Community College, now under construction.

“I’m honored that the board of directors has entrusted me with the organization’s wellbeing while we transition between executive directors,” Hoke said.

“While I’m at the helm, my focus will be on maintaining organizational stability and strengthening our partnerships. There are some exciting things on the horizon and my job is to lay a solid foundation on which to build the future.”

For more information, visit www.maderaarts.org