Arkansas Arts Center names two to new positions
by June 10, 2020 4:44 pm 806 views
The Arkansas Arts Center has named Lisa Jones Black as director of development and Katie Campbell as children’s theatre and performing arts director.
Black has 20 years of experience in strategic planning, philanthropy, market research and community collaboration to the Arkansas Arts Center, and will support the Arts Center during a key period as it prepares to open a newly renovated museum in 2022.
“Lisa brings a remarkable depth of knowledge to our team,” Executive Director Victoria Ramirez said. “Her experience with donor stewardship, community relations and strategic planning could not come at a more perfect time as we work toward the opening of a reimagined Arkansas Arts Center – and beyond.”
In her new role at the Arts Center, Black will lead fundraising efforts with corporations, foundations, members and individual donors to support the center’s annual fund. Black will also work with campaign co-chairs Harriet and Warren Stephens on the center’s $128 million special fundraising campaign to realize the Arkansas Arts Center’s reimagined MacArthur Park campus. Along with building costs, the capital campaign will provide transition and opening support, and endowment funds to secure the Arts Center’s future.
Black comes from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she served as division director of development and major gifts. Black established strategies to support public and preventive health, student growth, talent recruitment and research goals for the college of public health.
Campbell, the interim artistic director of the children’s theatre, has been promoted to children’s theatre and performing arts director. Campbell will be responsible for overseeing all artistic, administrative and operational aspects of the Children’s Theatre and performing arts programming, including theatre, puppetry, literary programs, dance and film. She previously served as associate director for children’s theatre.
“Katie has been a creative force for the Arts Center for many years,” Ramirez said. “Her innovative ideas and skill in creating memorable and engaging experiences for our community will continue with a broader focus on a full complement of performing arts programs and an increased focus on cultural partnerships. This expansion of our theatre outreach is part of a larger strategic vision for performing arts experiences for all ages in our newly renovated theatre spaces opening in 2022.”
Campbell is a board member of Theatre for Young Audiences USA, a national membership organization that strengthens the artistic and cultural impact of theatre for young audiences. She has an MFA in directing Theatre for Young People from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a BA in Theatre from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.