Our Team

Anne O'Dell (she/her)

Executive Director

Anne O'Dell stewards resources so people thrive. A purpose-driven leader and former classical musician, Anne knows first-hand the power the arts have to transform people's lives and communities. With over fifteen years of experience working in local arts agencies and organizations in the Washington, DC region, she brings skills of consensus and coalition building, creating an organization that supports well-being, program development and expansion, and prioritizing equitable access to resources to Erie and the region EAC serves.

Anne obtained her Master of Music at George Mason University and Master of Art, Arts Management at the University of Oregon, where she learned how to equitably plan and build community through arts and culture. Anne is a certified Yoga Instructor, author of the book, "The Nonviolent Organization: How to be kind at work and how work can be kind to the world," and hosts the podcast, "The Nonviolent Organization." 

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Kathleen Birkmire, MPA (she/her)

Development Director

Kathleen Birkmire is an Erie local who is passionate about the future of the city.  As Development Director for Erie Arts & Culture she connects people with the programs they are most excited about. Her diverse background working as everything from cashier to security to branch manager of a library, along with multiple development positions at regional and national nonprofits has given her the opportunity to communicate with diverse populations and find enjoyment in learning about why people give in their communities. 

Kathleen received her Master of Public Administration in Organizational Leadership through Gannon University and a B.A. in Psychology through Cedar Crest College.  She can often be found spending time outside with her family or reading one of the books from her vast (2000+) collection. 

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Ethan Hayden (he/him)

Program Officer of Arts and Learning

Ethan Hayden is a musician, educator, and arts advocate based in Erie, PA. He is the Program Officer of Arts & Learning at Erie Arts & Culture, where he administers creative arts-in-education initiatives aimed at learners of all ages. He is a champion of emerging, underrepresented, and experimental artists throughout the Rust Belt.

Ethan received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Music Composition from the University at Buffalo, and also holds undergraduate degrees from the University of North Texas. He runs the independent record label, Infrasonic Press, and is the author of Sigur Rós's ( ), published as part of Bloomsbury's 33⅓ series.

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Casey Corritore (she/her) 

Program Officer of Capacity Building

Casey manages the agency's publicly and privately funded grant programs, annual artist fellowship award, and initiatives centered around artist professional development. Outside of the office, Casey enjoys improvising on the cello, volunteering for art and music festivals, and spending time with her loved ones (read: cats).

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Kelly Armor (she/her)

Folklorist in Residence

Kelly identifies and documents folk artists and tradition bearers in Erie, Warren, Crawford, Venango, Lawrence, and Mercer counties. She also assists folk artists in maintaining their traditions and works with organizations who want to utilize folk artists in their programming.

For the past 25 years, she has worked intensively with Erie’s New American community, helping them preserve their culture and traditions in their new home, while also creating systems for the greater community to honor, celebrate and benefit from New American’s indigenous knowledge. Kelly is also a singer, multi-instrumentalist, storyteller, and teaching artist.

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