Arthur Swalley Appointed Board Chair of Opera Santa Barbara
We're thrilled to celebrate the election of Arthur Swalley as the new Board Chair of Opera Santa Barbara. A long time Santa Barbara arts advocate, an accomplished musician, and a financial advisor by trade, Arthur brings a rare combination of artistic passion and financial stewardship to this leadership role.
What makes Arthur's story special? He didn't just join the board — he sang in OSB's chorus for six years first, giving him a rare inside view of what it takes to bring an opera to life before ever touching the company's books.
A few highlights from our “5 Questions for Arthur”:
The experience of singing in OSB’s chorus gave him a front-row view of the teamwork that happens backstage, and he says it still amazes him how the whole team — sets, costumes, music, drama — comes together, night after night, while having fun doing it.
As a financial advisor, Arthur helps steer OSB's finances, but he's clear that programming is a team effort with the whole board and General Director Kostis Protopapas. His philosophy: stay artistically bold and financially stable at the same time, thanks to donors who believe in both.
Arthur credits the city's beautiful venues, proximity to LA talent, and decades of music education for helping the arts punch above their weight here — and he's mindful of protecting that legacy against threats like shrinking education budgets.
Please join us in congratulating one of our own here at Arlington; Arthur, on this well-deserved recognition. We can't wait to see what's next for Opera Santa Barbara under your leadership.
