Arts Council Announces New Executive Director

Dick Grossi, Board Member and Chair of the Search Committee for the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, today announced the appointment of Cynthia Clair as Executive Director.

“The Arts Council is delighted to welcome Cynthia as the new Executive Director,” said Grossi. “After an extensive nationwide search, she clearly displayed the passion and leadership our organization needs. Her accomplished track record and unique vision assures an exciting future for the Arts Council and the community.”

“The Arts Council has a wonderful tradition of strong leadership,” said Arts Council Board President Pat Sweet, “and we look forward to carrying on that tradition with Cynthia as the new Executive Director. She brings incredible experience and presence, having previously served as the executive director of two major arts service organizations and most recently as executive director of the Silvermine Guild Arts Center. Not only is she an experienced and widely respected leader in the arts community, but she also served in the Peace Corps in West Africa in the early ‘90’s, adding unique perspective to her background. We are thrilled to welcome Cynthia to the organization and we look forward to all that she will bring to our vibrant arts community.”

Clair brings extensive experience as an arts administrator, programmer, educator and presenter to her new role at the Arts Council. For the past nine years, Clair has served as Executive Director of Silvermine Guild Arts Center in New Canaan, a nationally recognized organization. Prior to joining Silvermine, Clair served as executive director at the Huntington Arts Council in New York, executive director of the Michigan Alliance for Arts Education in Grand Rapids, program director for the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, and teacher at the Arts Alternative School in Rockford, Illinois.

Cynthia Clair will assume her duties on November 1, 2006.

The Arts Council is a regional non-profit membership arts organization dedicated to enhancing, developing and promoting opportunities for artists, arts organizations and audiences throughout Connecticut and the Greater New Haven region.