AUGUSTA – Bryan W. Knicely, assistant director and accessibility coordinator for the Maine Arts Commission, will become the president of the Greater Columbus Arts Council in December. Knicely, an Ohio native, leaves the arts commission after six years of service, including nine months as the agency’s acting director.

During his tenure at the Maine Arts Commission, Knicely received two awards from the governor for outstanding leadership and service to the state of Maine, as well as two awards for his marketing and branding campaigns.

He assisted in the development of the governor’s REALIZE! Maine Youth Summit on youth out-migration.

Additionally, he was involved with a statewide conference on Maine’s creative economy.

In addition to maintaining all accessibility policies and features for the Maine Arts Commission, Knicely has directed the agency’s international programs and has participated in related arts and cultural responsibilities, including trade missions to France and a partnership exchange with Aomori, Japan.

Knicely served as a cultural ambassador to Cuba for the New England Foundation for the Arts’ cultural mission in conjunction with Havana’s Eighth Bienal de la Habana, and he is developing a cultural exchange program with Canada.