Dianne Funk’s success is in the process of growing a community festival to regional proportions, accomplished through the promotion of both celebrated and emerging artists within a festive atmosphere. Combining community interest and successful artist participation, along with business and non-profit organization partnerships, is the recipe that creates the synergy that leads to the ultimate hidden reward: the development of cultural tourism.
Dianne Funk has been promoting art festivals in the Coachella Valley since 1986 beginning with Faire a la Quinta / La Quinta Arts Foundation, followed by the City of Indio’s Southwest Arts Festival which started in 1989 as a small fledgling show and grew in stature to one of the top shows in the nation winning a Sunshine Artist Award in 2001. The current Indian Wells Arts Festival premiered in 2002.
With an A.A. in Business Administration from Fullerton Jr. College, and B.A. in Theatre Arts and Elementary Education from California State University, Fullerton, Dianne Funk has participated in many arts, dance and theatre productions. From the top of Mt. Tamalpias in Marin County as associate producer of the annual pageant “Rough N Ready” to associate producer of three televised specials: America’s Hope Award, Tributes to Elizabeth Taylor and Oprah Winfrey and America’s Dance Honors with Willenborg Productions, she also coordinated the local Arthritis Telethon, assisted with children’s theatre, worked as accounting manager of the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts, and a past director of Marywood Country Day School in LaQuinta.
Dianne has been a Palm Desert resident since 1976, and served for 10 years on the City of Palm Desert’s Civic Arts and also its Arts in Public Places Committees; with the first public art placement under her chairwomanship. Dianne was also an appointed Gaming Commissioner for the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. She has recently served on the board of Making of Music, Inc. and on the advisory board of the Braille Institute of Rancho Mirage.
Dianne’s two grown daughters Shay and Caroline, are DFE board members and integral participants managing ongoing production operations. Granddaughter Stella, age 7, has provided fund-raising opportunities with Washington Charter School in Palm Desert.
- Dianne Funk, President
- P.O. Box 62
- Palm Desert, CA 92261
- Tel: +1 760 346 0042
- Email: dianne@indianwellsartsfestival.com
