Durango Arts Center has named Brenda Macon its new executive director, and she’s ready to get to work.
Macon takes the reins from Jamie Wienk, who has been serving as interim director since Cristie Scott left the position last May to move to California.
Macon said she wasn’t in the market for a new job; the Durango artist was growing her own business and was having a great time being a full-time painter. But with a friend’s prodding, she said, she applied for the position, and began the interviewing process.
“Once I met the board, I fell in love with them,” Macon said. “Durango’s so lucky to have these people here. They are the most globally minded, culturally sensitive and aware, and forward-thinking group of people. I was so excited when I met them that I just kept going back for more interviews – it was like, ‘Let’s keep this conversation going.’”
Macon said it was if the job was custom tailored to her skill set: Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, she has nonprofit and for-profit management skills – she was executive director of Leadership Ann Arbor (similar to Leadership La Plata); she managed her family’s law firm and she is also a certified volunteer mediator. She has also been a teacher in Durango and has worked for many local boards and organizations.
“These are my left-brain skills I’m bringing to the table,” she said.
And the energy she’s bringing to her new post is evident when she talks about her plans.
“The stage has been set for really, really great things moving forward,” Macon said. “My M.O. for even being here is that I want Durango to be the new creative epicenter of the Southwest. ... I feel like the DAC now is in this beautiful position of advocating, educating and keeping that flow of exciting performances going.”
katie@durangoherald.com
