Shay Thornton Kulha is a passionate arts administrator with a specialty for bridging the gap between the arts community and the health and business fields. Kulha, currently the senior project manager for the Center for Performing Arts Medicine, is responsible for the strategy, implementation and financial management of one of the most comprehensive arts in healthcare organizations in the country. Previous to working in the arts in health field, she served as programs director for the Arts Council for Long Beach, where she oversaw grants, community programs and government partnerships. During her time there, she was a contributor to the Long Beach Business Journal’s Art Corner, a member of the North Long Beach revitalization project and a frequent collaborator with Leadership Long Beach and CSULB. Kulha also oversaw the A LOT Initiative, an NEA funded multi-year project that brought art experiences to vacant lots in underserved areas of the city. She also served as director of external affairs for California Repertory.

Kulha is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with studies in film, theatre and television and education, schooling and society. She holds a Master of Fine Arts and Master of Business Administration in theatre management from California State University, Long Beach. Kulha was a graduate research fellow with an emphasis in Emotional Attachment Marketing to Non-Profit Arts Organizations. She is a member of the National Organization for Arts in Health.