Kristin Beal is an arts advocate, administrator and culture producer. She currently serves as Wichita State University(WSU) Placemaking Coordinator and WSU ShiftSpace Gallery manager and lecturer of Community & Social Practices for the WSU School of Art, Design & Creative Industries. In 2014 Beal co-founded Harvester Arts with Kate Van Steenhuyse and Ryan Gates and serves as program director for the nonprofit organization that provides a platform for visual arts experimentation, community engagement and professional development. She studied at the Kansas City Art Institute, Wichita State University (BFA Drawing and Painting) and Virginia Commonwealth University (MFA Painting and Printmaking). Kristin Beal has worked extensively as a grant facilitator with local artists to realize projects through Harvester Arts with the Wichita Arts Council, The Knight Foundation and The NEA. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and pursues projects that explore various means of collaboration and creative action via community-based art projects.