Director's Biography

Llewellyn Crain, Executive Director of the Kansas Arts Commission

Llewellyn Crain became the executive director of the Kansas Arts Commission in May 2006. Prior to joining the Commission, she was a fundraiser for the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University. Llewellyn also served as the Director of Educational Initiatives for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2000-2003) and the Director of Community Programs at the Los Angeles Opera (1989-2000). In both these positions, she commissioned and produced new works for children and adults, developed innovative education programs for individuals of all ages and participated extensively in marketing and development. Llewellyn has been a dance critic and arts writer as well as a dance educator. She is a frequent guest speaker on the arts, has served on many grants panels, and has been a member of boards and advisory panels for arts organizations. Llewellyn earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dance from UCLA and a master’s degree in arts administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Executive Director Llewellyn Crain and Kansas Arts Commissioners are available to visit and address members of your community about the value of the arts or to celebrate and honor significant arts events and programs.

If you would like to us to speak to members of the public, community leaders or arts supporters in your area, please e-mail Llewellyn Crain at or call 785/368-6538.