Release Date: 4/2/2024

Boise City Mayor and Council Appoint Rachel Miller and Patricia Walker to the Arts & History Commission

Boise, ID – On February 13, 2024, Boise City Council unanimously approved the appointments of Rachel Miller and Patricia Walker to the Arts & History Commission for a three-year term ending December 31, 2026. Miller and Walker will start performing their duties at their first commission meeting on April 3. 

Dr. Rachel Miller is an Assistant Professor of History at the College of Idaho, where she holds the Klara K. Hansberger Endowed Professorship and serves as Director of the Gipson Honors Program. A scholar of labor and cultural history, Dr. Miller’s current research project addresses the long history of the creative economy in the United States. She is broadly trained in literature, theater, museum practice, and American studies, and has published work on historic home interpretation and orchestra musicians. Dr. Miller’s recent oral history work in the Treasure Valley is supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant, and her scholarship is funded by the NEH, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Houghton Library at Harvard University, among other institutions. She holds a doctorate in American Culture from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s in English from Vassar College. Dr. Miller is a resident of the Boise Bench. 

Patricia Walker serves as CEO and Founder of the Idaho Black Community Alliance, holding significant leadership roles within the Boise Soul Food Festival and Brown Like Me, a volunteer nonprofit. With extensive experience as an event organizer and fiscal sponsor for the festival, as well as fulfilling roles as Vice President and Program Director for Brown Like Me, Walker brings a wealth of strategic leadership, community development, business advocacy, and youth empowerment skills. Beyond her organizational roles, her dedication extends deeply into the heart of Idaho's communities, cultures, and connections. As a fourth-generation Idahoan deeply ingrained in our community's cultural fabric, she is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion statewide. Walker strives to bridge gaps and cultivate understanding among diverse populations, tirelessly working to strengthen connections and promote cultural exchange. She is devoted to ensuring that all Idahoans have access to opportunities for growth, representation, and empowerment. Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in Multicultural Studies from Boise State University, has been recognized as an Idaho Business Review 50 Women of the Year honoree, and resides in Southwest Boise. 

“I want to thank them both for their willingness to serve,” said Mayor Lauren McLean. “I really enjoyed the conversation I had with Rachel Miller and Patricia Walker about their interest in the commission and their engagement in the community to date.”  

View the City Council Evening Meeting. (Recorded February 13, 2024.) 

With these new appointments, John Hand, Business Operations Manager with Boise State University’s Student Involvement and Leadership Center, and formerly with HP, steps down after serving nearly three consecutive terms. During his tenure, Hand brought an extensive background in history and years of experience in business strategy, large-scale project management, and customer service to the commission. Prior to his appointment, Hand served for three years on the city’s History Committee, of which he chaired two. 

These new appointments also fill the seat left vacant with the sudden loss of commissioner J.J. Saldaña in September 2023. Saldaña, who served as the Community Resource Development Specialist at the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs, had an infectious love for Boise, especially for its art and culture. Appointed in 2021, he championed and represented Boise’s Hispanic and Latinx communities and was dedicated to ensuring that Boise’s art scene reflected them in meaningful ways. 

“We are forever indebted to John Hand and J.J. Saldaña for their service in support of our work,” said Jennifer Stevens, Arts & History Director. “On behalf of our commission and staff, I would like to thank each of them for their enduring legacy.” 

Simultaneous to the appointments of Rachel Miller and Patricia Walker, Kris Clegg, Digital Oasis Lab Manager at HP, and Melissa Thom, Marketing Leader at Idaho Power, 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.   

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