(Phoenix, Ariz.) Founding Member of the Chandler Cultural Foundation, Steena Murray, and longtime Board Member, Linda Yarbrough, will each be honored with the title of Board Member Emeritus, announced Chair David Woodruff. 

The Chandler Cultural Foundation Board reserves the Emeritus designation for individuals whose leadership, advocacy and contributions to the cultural life in Chandler have significantly impacted the community and the Foundation for the better.

The Foundation submitted Murray’s recommendation to the Chandler City Council in recognition of her tenure and dedication to the Chandler Center for the Arts. Murray has served on the Chandler Cultural Foundation (CCF) Board since she became a founding member of the board of directors in 1989.

As Board Member Emeritus, Steena will serve in an advisory capacity, while retiring from the day-to-day activities of serving on the Foundation Board. 

"As the Board Chair, I am delighted to confer the title of Emeritus upon Steena Murray," says Woodruff. "Her unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the cultural life in Chandler. Steena's profound commitment to the arts and her exemplary leadership have propelled us forward. We honor her legacy with this distinction, recognizing her as a cornerstone of our community's cultural enrichment."

Steena's generous financial support to the CCF represents the most significant and consistent contribution by an individual philanthropist in the organization's history. In 2008, she was honored with an Applause Award for her exceptional dedication to enhancing the community through arts appreciation and support. Committed to the organization's future, Steena is a proud member of the Jerry Brooks Legacy Society, having included a planned gift to the CCF in her estate plans.

Her passion for ensuring young people have access to the arts is evident through her longstanding support of Vision Kids and other Connecting Kids programs, with annual donations dating back to 1998. Additionally, for over a decade, Steena served as the presenting sponsor for the Zoppé Family Circus, bringing joy to countless families.

An ardent arts enthusiast, Steena rarely misses a performance at the CCA, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the organization. Collaborating with Jerry Brooks and others, she has devoted over three decades to cultivating the CCA into the vibrant community space it is today. Despite her significant contributions, Steena remains modest, preferring not to seek recognition for her generosity but allowing the CCF to highlight her support to inspire others to give.

Linda Yarbrough joins Founding Member Steena Murray as the third Board Member honored as Emeritus, along with the late Jerry Brooks, the visionary leader who spearheaded the creation of the Chandler Center for the Arts in the late 1980s.

Linda served on the Board of the Chandler Cultural Foundation for over 15 years, playing a pivotal leadership role as one of the most active advocates for the arts in Chandler. Her unparalleled skills in motivating key leaders to understand the importance and impact of the arts in Chandler resulted in securing critical arts funding at the city and state legislative level.

A teacher at Valley Christian High School for over 20 years, Linda is a passionate music educator, and a classically trained pianist with a fervent desire to bring students from all over Chandler to the Arts Center. Recognizing the need for funds to expand access to the arts, Linda took the role of Chair of the Fundraising Committee soon after joining the Board and instituted Chandler Center for the Arts’ annual fundraiser, Center Stage. During her tenure on the Board, Chandler Center for the Arts dramatically increased its contributed revenue resulting in substantially increased programs and performances at the Arts Center. She retired from the CCF Board in November 2023.

"Since moving to our city, Linda has worked tirelessly to expand the cultural life in Chandler," says Board Chair David Woodruff. "Her foresight, guidance and leadership for the Foundation has been a pillar for our city, and we are pleased to honor her as an Emeritus Board Member to draw from her wisdom in the years to come."

About Chandler Center for the Arts 

The Chandler Center for the Arts is an engaging, welcoming, innovative space serving a diverse community. Located in the vibrant center of Downtown Chandler, it is a continually evolving location using creativity and inspiration to bring people together through performances and exhibitions. Chandler Center for the Arts presents a full calendar of performances and exhibitions, from blockbuster international performers to emerging local artists. For more information about programs, performances and exhibitions, visit chandlercenter.org. 

About Chandler Cultural Foundation

With the opening of the Chandler Center for the Arts in 1989, the City of Chandler established the Chandler Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization to oversee programming and provide fiduciary control for the new facility. Comprised of a Board of Directors, appointed by the City of Chandler Mayor, the Foundation is charged with overseeing all programming and operations of the Chandler Center for the Arts.