PUTNEY-Next Stage Arts Board Chair Andrew Frost says that the search for a new director will ensue on the heels of a strategic planning process the board ran last year to chart a course for the performing arts nonprofit through the rest of the decade.
Having cast a wide net with a survey of the organization's mailing list and the broader community, "we identified a number of key influencers within the community across different subsections of donors, partners, and business owners," and interviewed many to glean perspectives on Next Stage - where it can go and what they would be looking for.
Rolling in input from board and staff, a completed picture emerged of what the future of Next Stage should look like and how to get there.
Frost praised outgoing director Keith Marks for his accomplishments, networking, and programming, including the popular summer Bandwagon series, which Interim Director Maria Basescu will be booking for 2025 with Next Stage Production Director Barry Stockwell.
"Keith's shoes are big to fill - he's been phenomenal to work with," Frost says. "It's also a great time for us to bring somebody else in who's going to really be able to help us focus on executing this new plan."
The strategic plan's core elements include building a solid foundation, making sure Next Stage has the right programs in place, and furthering growth and innovation.
"Partnerships will play a role throughout," Frost says.
"One of the things that is really important to us about being a community organization here is that we really look at ourselves as a hub in the region, not just because we've got great programming, but because our mission is all around building communities for the arts," he continues.
"I'm so glad about Keith staying in the region," Frost says. "I think we'll be able to keep working and partnering together."
This Arts item by Annie Landenberger was written for The Commons.