Posted: Apr 27, 2006  08:51

Having been Executive Director of the Pend Oreille Arts Council for 3 ½ years, my last day is this Friday, April 28. The POAC Board of Directors is currently seeking a new Executive Director.

I’m writing this statement to clarify the situation, and let people know that I loved my job, love working with artists and performers, and the many POAC members and volunteers.

A 13-member Board of Directors and one Executive Director run POAC. As of a few months ago, POAC also has a volunteer office assistant who works 12 hours per week. The organization serves approximately 40,000 people annually with year-round programs in visual arts, performing arts, and educational programs. Events and programs of POAC include the annual performance series at the Panida Theater, Artwalk, Summer Sounds at Park Place concerts, Sunday Concerts on the Lawn, the Arts & Crafts Fair at City Beach, the Holiday Art Market, the Sweetheart Auction, and other events. POAC also has three educational programs serving students and adults in the visual and performing arts. The organization does an exceptional job of serving the community and providing cultural opportunities in Sandpoint.

The responsibilities of the Executive Director, as POAC is currently organized, are way too much for one person to handle. After multiple efforts to communicate with the board the need for assistance and relief, I announced in February that I couldn’t handle the workload without organizational changes that the board should be addressing. The community loves what POAC offers, and we are going through growing pains because of it. After multiple requests for the board to address these organizational challenges and the heavy workload of the Executive Director, and lack of clarity in board responsibilities, I offered a proposal to the Board in March. The proposal outlined changes to the current working structure, and a growth of the organization to better respond to community needs. After discussing the proposal, the board “accepted my resignation” and is now in search of a new Executive Director.

In the 3 ½ years under my direction, the board and I have doubled POAC’s membership, nearly doubled the annual budget and grant income, established the Holiday Art Market, doubled the list of artists whose work POAC exhibits, brought back the Opera, and increased the performance series by two performances. Assisted listening devices and a clear communication system were acquired for the performance series at the Panida. Many organizational changes were instated, such as a new database, brochures and marketing materials, additional exhibit venues, new committees and roles formed, major changes in the Sweetheart Auction, and bringing two statewide regional arts conferences to Sandpoint. Networking with other artists and arts organization was a major focus of mine, resulting in the North Idaho Arts Alliance and the “Celebrate the Arts” event. I also led the effort to establish the City of Sandpoint Arts Commission.

POAC members, artists and community members have communicated to me that they appreciate my enthusiasm, passion, and work ethic. I have two ducks on my computer, from our Technical Director Dave Nygren – “on the surface you’re calm, but underneath you’re paddling like crazy,” he says. True enough.

At this point, I’m literally going to “take a hike” somewhere in the southwest. The question “so what are you going to do????” is often answered by “all the things I didn’t get to as ED of POAC”, including consulting for other nonprofit organizations (grant writing and development work), public art, services for artists, economic development using the arts, art classes, and more. I am excited about the possibilities of accomplishing these things with so many of you.

Thanks, Sandpoint, for your love of the arts. I hope to see more of it.

Lizzy Hughes
Executive Director
Pend Oreille Arts Council

"I’d love to hear from you." – Email Lizzy or call 208-255-5273.