Tanner Melvin M.S. - Founder/Executive DirectorFounder and Director of Side Street Studio Arts in Elgin, IL. Tanner brings an eclectic background that includes a B.A. in Theater with an emphasis in acting and design and a M.S. in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration with an emphasis in experiential education and interpretive programming, both from Western Illinois University (WIU). After having worked as a professional actor and designer around the U.S. and spent years in the restaurant and entertainment industry, Tanner decided to move in a new direction focusing on outdoor education and programming for both children and adults. In 2012, he worked at Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab, UT as a Seasonal Interpretive Specialist, and incorporates these experiences into the education and outreach programming within Side Street. He was an artist-in-residence at The Studios of Key West in 2018 and works in a variety of mediums, currently focusing on interdisciplinary media. Tanner served on the board of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and is Technical Director of the Elgin Fringe Festival. In 2019, Tanner was awarded the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration Graduate of the Decade award by WIU.
Founder and Director of Side Street Studio Arts in Elgin, IL. Tanner brings an eclectic background that includes a B.A. in Theater with an emphasis in acting and design and a M.S. in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration with an emphasis in experiential education and interpretive programming, both from Western Illinois University (WIU). After having worked as a professional actor and designer around the U.S. and spent years in the restaurant and entertainment industry, Tanner decided to move in a new direction focusing on outdoor education and programming for both children and adults. In 2012, he worked at Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab, UT as a Seasonal Interpretive Specialist, and incorporates these experiences into the education and outreach programming within Side Street. He was an artist-in-residence at The Studios of Key West in 2018 and works in a variety of mediums, currently focusing on interdisciplinary media. Tanner served on the board of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and is Technical Director of the Elgin Fringe Festival. In 2019, Tanner was awarded the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration Graduate of the Decade award by WIU.
