The Center for the Performing Arts at Eastern Kentucky University formally introduced Katherine Eckstrand as its executive director Wednesday during a press conference on campus.
Since 2005, Eckstrand has been the director of community development for the Ohio Arts Council in Columbus.
She previously served as executive director of the Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ohio, from 1994 to 2005.
In all, Eckstrand has 23 years experience in arts administration and promotion.
“I believe in the power of the arts to transform people and communities,” Eckstrand said. “I have dedicated my professional life to working to change lives and communities through the arts.”
Scheduled to open in the summer of 2011, the Center for the Performing Arts will have a main chamber that seats 2,000 and includes box seating and two balconies.
An adjacent black box theater will seat 250.
The 93,000-square-foot center, which is being constructed adjacent to the Business and Technology Center, is described by officials as being, “Broadway-capable, Broadway-quality.”
“To build a program from the ground up doesn’t happen very often in an art director’s life,” Eckstrand said. “I’m deeply humbled and honored.”
A 13-member board of directors, made up of representatives from EKU, the City of Richmond, the City of Berea and Madison County, was established to hire the executive director.
“Over the last seven months, the selection committee has done a lot of dedicated work to get us where we are today,” said Roger Rogow, vice chair of the Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors.
A pool of 75 applications was narrowed to three, each of whom was brought in for a interview, said Rogow.
“The selection process was long, it was concentrated, it was tough,” said J.T. Gilbert, chair for the Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors.
“We had really good candidates,” Gilbert said. “(Eckstrand) had the right combination of experience, ability, education, background and the chemistry that makes the person just right for the position.”
Eckstrand received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio, a Master’s of Arts in English from Depaul University in Chicago and is working on a Ph.D. in Arts Policy and Administration from Ohio State University.
Doug Whitlock, president of UK, said he believes arts and sciences provide the foundation for all majors and that the center will do remarkable things on campus for all programs.
“One day the important work we start today will be looked upon as one of the great milestones of the college, the city, the region and the state,” said Whitlock. “Now the work begins.”
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, ext. 6696.
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