Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona announces the appointment of Matt Sandoval as its new executive director effective Nov. 6.

He takes the reins from the current Free Arts Executive Director Alicia Sutton Campbell after 11 years of service.

“I am honored to have worked for Free Arts during this exciting time in its history – expanding services to children and families, and securing a permanent home at The Bob & Renee Parsons Place for Art and Transformation,” Sutton Campbell, who shared her belief that leadership change is beneficial to keep an organization growing to meet future needs, shared in a press release. “I look forward to seeing the next phase of growth that Matt and the talented staff will usher in.”

Founded in 1993, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonprofit that works to transform children’s trauma to resilience through the arts. Free Arts programs include creative elements that promote safety, self-expression and a sense of belonging.

Sutton Campbell joined Free Arts as the director of programs in 2012 before becoming executive director two years later. Under her direction, the organization grew from 10 to 29 employees, which allowed it to expand services to foster care and kinship families as well as young adult program alumni.

The organization, located at 352 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix, uses more than 800 volunteer mentors who work together to serve nearly 7,000 children statewide each year.

“The Free Arts mission and vision is a passion for me and many others that I am honored to serve alongside,” Sandoval stated. “I am excited to continue the great work of Free Arts by expanding our program statewide, creating new partnerships and developing our conference learning opportunities to impact others by providing mentoring and programming in the arts.”

Sandoval has served as the Free Arts vice president of programs since October 2022, overseeing intentional art-based mentorship for program recipients. In his new role, he will work with staff and the board of directors to strengthen the Free Arts mission.

Free Arts programs are delivered by 800 volunteer mentors and artists who serve more than 7,000 children annually through partnerships with 40 social service child welfare agencies at 100-plus sites across Maricopa County.

Visit FreeArtsAZ.org.