Search produces new president & CEO for Chapman Cultural Center
New leader arrives from N.C. next month
Today, Chapman Cultural Center announced that a roughly six-month search for its next president and CEO will bring veteran arts leader Dan Mayer to Spartanburg.
He will lead the organization beginning Feb. 10, 2022.
Mayer (right) is the current executive director of The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, North Carolina where he has served since 2015. Prior to this role he was development director and later executive director of the Kirkland Performance Center, in Kirkland, Washington, for eight years.
“A careful search conducted by a dedicated group of community leaders led by a nationally recognized search firm has brought Spartanburg’s newest visionary leader to Chapman Cultural Center. Dan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization, and I believe he will continue to strengthen and advocate for our vibrant cultural environment,” Dr. Brant Bynum, Chapman Cultural Center board of trustees chairman, said.
Chapman Cultural Center’s board expressed confidence in Mayer’s ability to lead the organization, “specifically as we strive to achieve our 2023 strategic intentions.”
A news release touted Mayer’s track record of achieving results through his business and finance acumen coupled with artistic vision. His accomplishments include overseeing a $1.5 million budget, launching a $6 million capital campaign, and building a budget surplus that allowed The ArtsCenter to continue is operations during the pandemic.
Mayer brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in various roles in the arts and cultural sector. He was an attorney for the country’s largest pro bono art and entertainment law organization in New York City and served in numerous executive and advisory roles for arts organizations across the U.S., including the Spectrum Dance Theater, Photographic Center Northwest, and Seattle Jewish Film Festival.
Regarding the hot-button issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and access, Mayer has reportedly shown a commitment to using the arts as a catalyst to promote diversity and equity in community-based programming, overseeing increases in program diversity and board participation while at the Kirkland Performance Center and implementing the The ArtsCenter’s first-ever DEIA policies while its leader.
“The arts and culture will be essential in healing a post-COVID world, and the Chapman Cultural Center and its partners are a key part of bringing us all together to affirm our shared humanity. I look forward to creating coalitions and new initiatives to expand the impact of arts and culture throughout the region,” Mayer said.
About Chapman Cultural Center
Chapman Cultural Center provides cultural leadership for Greater Spartanburg by developing, strengthening, and promoting the scope, excellence and educational role of the arts, humanities and sciences, and to further their significance in the life of our community.
The Chapman Cultural Center is located on East Saint John Street in downtown Spartanburg. Please visit www.ChapmanCulturalCenter.org for more information.