Krista Bradley, Executive Director

Krista Bradley is a nationally recognized arts executive, cultural strategist, and performing arts leader with more than 30 years of experience leading cultural organizations, shaping national and regional arts initiatives, and building partnerships that connect artists, audiences, funders, and communities.

Most recently, Bradley served as Director of Programs and Resources at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), where she led national conference programming, grantmaking, leadership development, and field initiatives serving the live performing arts sector. Her work included program strategy and artistic curation for APAP|NYC, one of the world’s largest convenings of performing arts professionals, as well as national initiatives supporting artists, ensembles, presenters, and cultural organizations.

Previously, Bradley served as Executive and Artistic Director of BlackRock Center for the Arts in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she provided artistic, financial, and organizational leadership for the multidisciplinary cultural institution. During her tenure, she expanded participation by more than 30 percent, strengthened community and institutional partnerships, and secured significant philanthropic support, including the largest naming gift in the organization’s history.

Earlier, as Program Officer for Performing Arts and Leadership Development at Mid Atlantic Arts, Bradley managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio supporting artists, touring, and cultural organizations across the Mid-Atlantic region. Her career has also included leadership roles with OPERA America and Houston Grand Opera, as well as extensive work as a consultant, presenter, grantmaker, and partner to artists and performing arts organizations.

A respected voice in the performing arts field, Bradley has served as a grant panelist and reviewer for the National Endowment for the Arts and numerous regional and state arts agencies, and as a speaker, guest faculty member, board member, and advisor for arts and cultural organizations and arts administration programs across the country.

A longtime member of the Washington region’s arts community and a lifelong choral singer, Bradley is a former longtime alto and board president of the Thomas Circle Singers. Her career has also been deeply connected to the Washington region’s cultural community through her work as an arts executive, presenter, grantmaker, consultant, and partner to artists and organizations including Washington Performing Arts, the Washington Opera, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Dance Place, and the DC Jazz Festival.

Bradley holds a B.A. in Literature and Society from Brown University and is a practicing musician and visual artist.