Release Date: 8/5/2026

Boise – On July 14, 2026, Boise City Council unanimously approved the appointments of Aiden VanderStouwe and Astri Snodgrass to the Arts & History Commission for a three-year term ending July 14, 2029. VanderStouwe and Snodgrass will start performing their duties at their first commission meeting on August 5. 

Aiden VanderStouwe earned his Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a performing artist and producer as well as an Assistant Teaching Professor in Linguistics and Affiliated Faculty in Gender Studies at Boise State University. VanderStouwe's civic engagement and familiarity with the work of the Department of Arts & History include serving as an Arts & History Grant reviewer as well as with the Community Advisory Council for the city's Modern Zoning Code. VanderStouwe's research interests involve gender, sexuality, and identity through the lens of language. His work frequently aims to link academia to the everyday world, especially as it relates to issues of public policy, social justice, and public health. VanderStouwe is excited to support the work of the commission and contribute to preserving and promoting Boise's history, local artistry, and cultural events.
 
Astri Snodgrass earned her MFA from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. She is a practicing visual artist and an Associate Professor of Drawing and Painting at Boise State University. Snodgrass brings a deep connection to Boise’s arts community and a familiarity with the work of the Department of Arts & History as a commissioned artist for the city's Portable Works collection as well as an Arts & History Grant recipient. Snodgrass has served on numerous committees in the Department of Art, Design, and Visual Studies, the School of the Arts, and the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State as well as a reviewer for Surel’s Place artist residency program in Garden City. Snodgrass is excited to support the work of the commission and contribute to creating a stronger bridge between academia and the city’s broader community.

“I want to thank these two new commissioners for their willingness to serve,” said Mayor Lauren McLean. “I really appreciate their time, expertise, and perspective to serve on our Arts & History Commission. I enjoyed the conversation I had with Aiden and Astri about their interest in the commission and their engagement in the community and the city to date; we're fortunate to have artists who are willing to support the city’s efforts and the people we serve.”  

View the City Council Evening Meeting. (Recorded July 14, 2026.) 

With these new appointments, Amanda Ashley (Terms: 2021-2023; 2024-2026), Director of the School of the Arts and Professor of Urban Studies at Boise State University who recently accepted a new position at Colorado State University as the Associate Dean and Executive Director for the Arts within their College of Liberal Arts, along with Kris Clegg (Term: 2024-2026), Digital Oasis Lab Manager with HP, who prior to her appointment to the commission served for five years on the Arts & History Advisory Team, both step down.
 
“We are deeply grateful to Amanda Ashley and Kris Clegg for their service in support of our work,” said Jason Taylor, Arts & History Director. “On behalf of our commission and staff, I would like to thank each of them for their important contributions.” 
 
Simultaneous to the appointments of Aiden VanderStouwe and Astri Snodgrass, Melissa Thom, Brand Engagement Lead at Idaho Power, and Gaby Thomason, a Historian and Education Manager at One Refugee, step in as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively.

About the Arts & History Commission 
With up to seven voting members, including one student, the Arts & History Commission is appointed by the Boise City Mayor and affirmed by the Boise City Council. The commission ensures the integrity of the public process by being transparent in decision-making and by affirming equity and inclusion goals through recognition of Boise’s diverse community; reviews and approves Arts & History policies, goals, and programs, and recommends support to Mayor and City Council; promotes related events and programs to the community; supports staff in the planning processes and reviews commission roles annually. Through support of the Arts & History Department, the commission focuses on these objectives. More information: Arts & History Commission

About the Boise City Department of Arts & History 
The Department of Arts & History is Boise’s local cultural agency dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging through accessible and place-based arts and history. Our mission is to cultivate a distinct sense of place which reflects Boise’s rich past, diverse communities, and unique natural setting. Our operations empower and serve Boise residents as we create opportunities that nurture and sustain Boise’s past and its creative economy. More information: BoiseArtsAndHistory.org