Elena and James Thornton with Arizona Consortium for the Arts
Arizona Consortium for the Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, all volunteer, community organization. The consortium’s vision is to establish a multicultural, multidisciplinary arts space/center with an open door policy.
The center will provide a home for all activities and foster artistic growth for people of all ages through the participation in the arts. It will be a home for many wonderful community organizations and groups, creative and innovative activities and projects representing and celebrating our diverse community. 
We are dedicated to creating a connection with our community and provide a platform for social bridging through artistic, cultural and educational events. We inspire, engage, involve, give voices and visibility, celebrate, and connect our communities by providing innovative programs, activities and publications.
Our programs help nurture and support underserved and economically challenged populations through the transforming power of the arts. We are reflecting and representing the distinctive character of our region and explore, share and provide opportunities for the compelling expressions of arts and culture.
The consortium provides support for emerging and established Arizona artists spanning all disciplines and offers free access to the arts for the general public by hosting cultural, arts and performance arts events. We aim to advance, unite, collaborate, partner, connect, and engage individuals and community organizations in all aspects of arts, performing arts, literary arts and cultures in Arizona. We publish three online arts and literary magazines. The Blue Guitar, The Blue Guitar Jr. and Unstrung. It is free to submit.
Elena Thornton, Founder/CEO, Arizona Consortium for the Arts Charity is originally from Moldova, one of former Soviet Republics. Elena’s formal education is in the Secondary Education, she holds both a B. A. and M.A from the University at Albany, NY.
Elena has more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the education, business and the nonprofit sector. She also held positions as a Director of an after school program and a Director of Training for a Phoenix based company and traveled throughout the US and abroad.
Elena’s education and career experience combined with real-life experience makes her the successful organizational leader she is today. Currently, together with the Arizona Consortium for the Arts Board of Directors, volunteer coordinators and advisors, she is spearheading the efforts in developing relationships through networking and partnering with local Non-Profit organizations that will bridge resources and forge collaborations with individuals, public, private and government organizations and agencies, educational institutions, business community to reach their goals, objectives and ultimately build and sustain a multicultural arts and performing arts center facility.
Working closely with all the entities, she is confident they will have the resources, skills and knowledge that will enable them to continue on their path to success, grow and leave a legacy for the next generation.
Elena is also a Best Selling Author. She is one of the contributing authors in the 1 Habit For Success – SmartFem Special Edition book. The day it was published it ranked #2 for Business Leadership on Amazon Best Seller list.
Elena is a Photographer. Since 2010, together with her husband Jim Thornton they covered many social and nonprofit events in the valley. Their works have been published in magazines and are covers of several books. Elena is an artist and exhibited her works in galleries as a solo artist and in group exhibitions through arts groups.
She has won 2 art awards. Some of her works are in private collections in the US and abroad. She is a Published poet. The Freedom to Journey On, a collection of poems, two short stories and artwork and is available on Amazon.
In 2022, Elena and Jim filmed a short comedy in Hawaii, directed by Kimber Leigh, written by John Kestner and won for best cinematography in one of the film festivals.
Connect with Elena on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
