• Title: Executive Director
• Email: nkinkade@thebascom.org

Niki Kinkade is the Executive Director of The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts. She brings a deep commitment to the visual arts and a belief in their power to transform lives and communities. Niki holds a BA in Art History from the University of South Florida and an MA in Teaching from Willamette University.

From 2017 to 2024, Niki served as the Executive Director of the Art Center of the Bluegrass, where she rebranded the organization, initiated a permanent collection, revamped programming, and established key partnerships. Under her leadership, the center doubled its space and created a national glass museum, café, retail space, and culinary classroom.

Previously, Niki served as the Executive Director of the Great American Brass Band Festival for nine years, overseeing a period of robust growth for the internationally recognized festival. Under her leadership, the festival added a fine arts festival to complement its respected musical offerings. She has also worked in various art galleries and museums across the U.S.

Niki is dedicated to advancing The Bascom’s mission and looks forward to driving its strategic initiatives to serve the diverse communities of the region with innovative and impactful programming.

• Title: Deputy Executive Director
• Phone: (828) 787-2881
• Email: blove@thebascom.org

Billy Love is the Deputy Executive Director for Mission and Programs at The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts (Highlands, NC). An arts educator and non-profit professional, Billy has more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of communities, people, and learning. His roles at The Bascom span curatorial, educational, and outreach initiatives, which allow the organization to offer robust visual arts programs focused on the support of emerging artists and the building of essential creative and visual literacy skills for youth and adults. His leadership is focused on fostering the artistic capacities of individuals and on engaging with local and regional entities to enhance the creative economy of Western North Carolina. A muralist and photographer, Billy received his Bachelors in Studio Art from Furman University (Greenville, SC) and his Masters in Art Education from Western Carolina University.

• Title: Director of Finance & Administration
• Phone: (828) 787-2885
• Email: halligood@thebascom.org

Holly Alligood is a dynamic professional, currently serving as the Director of Finance and Administration at The Bascom. Holly brings with her over 10 years of experience as an accountant, having honed her financial expertise in various organizations before joining The Bascom.  As a parent of two, she values the importance of fostering creativity and artistic expression in the community. She believes that art has the power to inspire, educate, and transform lives, and she works tirelessly to ensure that The Bascom remains a vibrant and inclusive hub for artists and art enthusiasts. With her extensive experience, passion for the arts, and commitment to community service, Holly Alligood is dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact through her role at The Bascom.

• Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
• Phone: (828) 787-2866
• Email: bmitchell@thebascom.org

Bianca Mitchell is the Director of Marketing at The Bascom:  A Center for the Visual Arts (Highlands, NC).  Bianca has over 15 years of experience in marketing, design, and database management. A visual storyteller, Bianca brings life to The Bascom’s brand through impactful and contemporary communications strategies.

Bianca is herself a practicing artist, who works in two-dimensional and digital formats. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Brevard College, summa cum laude.

• Title: Director of Exhibitions
• Phone: (828) 787-2878
• Email: zrogers@thebascom.org

Born and raised in Laurinburg, NC, Zachary is an artist with a knack for creative problem solving. After earning his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Metal Design from East Carolina University in 2013, he stuck around Greenville, NC for a couple of years working in a few of the art galleries and as a studio tech at Pitt Community College.

Zachary moved to the North Carolina mountains to attend Western Carolina University and received his Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Western Carolina University in 2018. Zachary has instructed art history lecture classes, 3-D design studios, and Sculpture courses. While in graduate school he began to incorporate his interest in archaeology and museum studies in his sculptures and wrote his thesis on shifting museum dynamics and their relationship with the viewer.

Since starting at The Bascom as the Exhibition Manager in May 2018, Zachary is able to continue utilizing his skills to create on both sides of the gallery wall and remain engaged in the artistic community.

• Title: Director of Ceramics
• Phone: (828) 787-2892
• Email: fvickery@thebascom.org

Frank Vickery has been working in clay for over 20 years with multiple years devoted to instruction in clay arts. His personal art works are concentrated in wheel throwing but Frank also has extensive experience in hand building and creating and embellishing clay forms.

Frank has a Bachelors in Art Education and Bachelors in Fine Art from Winthrop University and a Masters of Fine Art from Western Carolina University.

• Title: Retail Manager
• Phone: 828.787.2865
• Email: jlammers@thebascom.org

As the Retail Manager, Jessica brings her background in sales, visual merchandising, and interior design to The Bascom.  Jessica’s work experience began as a teenager in her family's retail shop and art gallery. As she graduated college, Jessica went on to work in residential and light commercial design.  Later, she merged her background experiences into a visual merchandising career. 

Jessica graduated with an AFA from Young Harris College and with a BFA from Georgia State University in Interior Design.  She loves representing the many talented artists in the retail space and serving The Bascom’s mission in the beautiful Highlands community. 

• Title: Facilities Manager
• Phone: (828) 787-2884
• Email: mminus@thebascom.org

Madison Minus, a Highlands native, has lived an adventurous life that has taken him across the globe. With a passion for exploration, he has called Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia home, where he taught scuba diving. His journey also took him to Colorado, where he embraced the slopes as a snowboarding enthusiast. For three years, he worked as a commercial diver in Florida, honing his skills underwater. Back on land, Madison brings his expertise in carpentry, custom woodworking, and woodturning to life, blending creativity with craftsmanship in every project he undertakes.

His journey with The Bascom began in 2021 when he started selling his turned creations in the gift shop. His work gained further recognition when he was selected as a featured artist in 2023. He is thrilled to utilize the knowledge he has gained over the years while serving as the Facilities Manager for The Bascom.