National Black Arts Festival leader resigns
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Stephanie Hughley has resigned from her role as executive producer of the National Black Arts Festival, a much-lauded celebration of African American arts and culture that’s facing cutbacks in a tough economy.
Hughley is leaving to pursue other opportunities, and will remain on the staff until June 1, and through the 2009 festival, a press release said. In 1987, Hughley was the founding artistic director of the festival, which celebrated its 20th year last summer. She left, only to return in 1999 as executive director after working as vice president of programming for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Jean Shifrin/AJC
Stephanie Hughley has resigned from the National Black Arts Festival to pursue other opportunities.
Evern Cooper Epps, chairwoman of the festival’s Board of Directors, said in a press release that a global search for a new executive producer has begun. “I am personally grateful for Stephanie’s willingness to stay on through this leadership transition — and her future help in completing several strategic initiatives,” Epps said in the release.
Hughley said last month that this summer’s festival would be cut back from 10 to five days, a decision forced by economic downturn that led to sponsor cutbacks. It will be held July 29-Aug. 2. The lineup hasn’t been announced yet.
Last October, the festival was one of eight organizations nationwide selected for “Leading for the Future: Innovative Support for Artistic Excellence,” a $15.1 million arts initiative funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. That grant money is intended to help organizations develop ways to grow their audiences and resources. It cannot be used for operations.
