Corrin McWhirter, a familiar name in the Springfield arts community, is now the assistant director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault after spending the past five years as the gallery director for the Springfield Art Association.
“My training and background is in the visual arts, but I also have a background in management and administration,” said McWhirter, noting that prior to moving to Illinois she spent 15 years in aquatic and recreation administration.
ICASA is a nonprofit which provides administrative support to 30 community-based sexual assault crisis centers throughout the state. The founding executive director, Polly Poskin, retired at the end of 2018 and longtime staff member Carrie Ward was promoted to take Poskin’s place.
McWhirter said she worked with Poskin on a recent exhibit by the Women’s Art Alliance and Poskin encouraged her to apply for the assistant director position.
“It’s a new field in terms of the work, but it’s something I’m very passionate about,” McWhirter said. “I’m excited to provide support to help the people on the ground at the centers do what they do.”
McWhirter noted that while her professional role has changed, she will continue to be involved with the arts in a volunteer capacity.
“I’m working with the DSI image and design council on the arts alley project and chairing the Dancing with the Starz fundraiser for Springfield Art Association. While I won’t have a full time job in the arts, I still plan to be very active in volunteering and supporting the arts. And I’m still one of the artist members of the SAA Collective,” she said.
McWhirter was named one of Springfield Business Journal's Forty Under 40 earlier this year.
