Friday, June 20, 2008

Let's help Hizzoner

A few days ago I noted that Tony Gittens, the executive director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, announced a couple of days ago that he is leaving that post after 11 years.

Mayor Fenty will now appoint a new EA for the DCCAH and we're all hoping that it's not a typical politico nepotista appointment for the $110,000 a year job.

We're all hoping for someone who is qualified for this important job and who also cares deeply about the capital arts presence and its artists.

I have nominated George Koch, but I am curious to learn about other potential nominees out there, so feel free to post some comments with names of those who you think may be candidates.
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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous3:22 PM

    Lenny:

    There is no shortage of local folks who could restore the Commission to its proper functions. Bill Warrell, Imani Drayton Hill, and Lionell Thomas (the current Assistant Director) come to mind.

    Best Practices, however, call for posting the position announcement with organizations including:

    Americans for the Arts - http://www.artsusa.org/

    the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies --
    http://www.nasaa-arts.org/

    The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington --
    http://www.cultural-alliance.org/

    and perhaps ArtJobs --
    http://www.artsearch.us/ArtJobs/index.php

    I strongly suggest a review panel drawn from the District's only graduate program in arts administration, the Arts Management Program at American University --
    http://www.american.edu/perf_arts/academics/artsmgt.htm

    I believe that, technically, the Commissioners appoint the DCCAH Executive Director. As I recall, Commissioners serve at the Mayor's pleasure. Now that Filmfest has left DC Government as mysteriously as it joined it, this would be a good time for His Honor to ask commissioners associated with that activity to step down.

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