As a former dancer (Santa Fe Opera Ballet, Pacific Ballet) and film producer, Marilyn Cristofori knows what it means to be an artist.

As the new chief executive of the Hawaii Arts Alliance, she's in a position to foster current and future artists.

Cristofori joined the Hawaii Arts Alliance in 1994, and was just promoted from the position of executive director.

The nonprofit organization cultivates, sustains and celebrates all the arts as essential to a complete education. The ARTS at Marks Garage and First Fridays? They're both part of the alliance.

Cristofori has directed national summer arts festivals, including for the California State University System and produced award-winning PBS documentaries. She has also served as a dance professor at the University of Hawai'i, Cal State-Chico, American Dance Festival, Brown University and Jacob's Pillow Festival of Dance.

She currently is on the National Leadership Committee for the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network.

Cristofori — married to Gregg Lizenbery, chairman of UH's Department of Theater and Dance — has contributed to the arts community as a resident of Hawai'i for more than 25 years.