People: Francine Burge named public relations manager for the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs

The State of Nevada has hired Francine Burge as the public relations manager for the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

She will be working with the Division of Museums and History, Nevada Arts Council, and Nevada Indian Commission, elevating awareness of the work of the agencies and strengthening communications.

Burge has over 30 years of experience in marketing, media, and events. In her most recent role at the city of Sparks, she led the city’s efforts in special events and art programs. She worked to modernize the city’s special event policies and procedures, leading to a growth of 35 percent in hosted events and achieving the goal of 100 percent cost recovery.

In 2016, she established the city’s first Arts and Culture Advisory Committee to expand and define the role of art and culture within the city. This work led to the 2017 Creative Placemaking Plan for the downtown district, funded by a coveted National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant. As an outcome of the plan, she developed the Sparks Art Walk program which included six temporary art installations and was supported by four non-profit partners and a volunteer tour/activity program.

In 2017, Burge was awarded the Arts Advocate Award from the Economic Development Association of Northern Nevada.

Before working with the city of Sparks, Burge was the vice president at the Reno Philharmonic for 10 years, doubling earned revenue, increasing subscriptions, and creating award-winning marketing campaigns. In 2009, the Reno Phil was named Promotional Group of the Year by the American Advertising Federation.

She serves on the boards of the Sierra Arts Foundation and the EDAWN Foundation and volunteers with the Women and Children Center of the Sierra and Reno Women’s March/What Can I Do.