Arts Council of Southeast Missouri to review 18 applications for director seat

After almost 10 months of operating without a contracted director, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri hopes to close the hiring process by Monday.

Utahna Hancock, chairwoman of the arts council, said she has received 18 resumes and applications for the position but hasn't looked at them yet. The board members will meet next week to review the applications together.

"We'll just put them in three piles," Hancock said, for rejections, possibilities and front-runners.

The arts council has been without a full-time director since former director Delilah Tayloe's contract was not renewed in June. Richard Webb stepped down from his position as board treasurer to temporarily fill the position at the not-for-profit community arts organization.

Hancock said the arts council needs a business-minded person with knowledge of budgets and accounting, but also someone who appreciates art and can organize programs supported or sponsored by the arts council. She said she will continue to accept applications through the weekend

"We're still open," she said. "This decision is very important. We want to hire the right person."

The arts council works on several programs throughout the year to expose the community to art. It maintains a three-gallery space on Main Street, hosts juried shows, organizes the Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, plans ArtsCape in May, holds summer programs and runs a Children's Art Festival in December.

"We're always doing something," Hancock said. She said members are looking to do more and expand on the list with dance, music and theater programs.

The arts council has roughly 250 members from Southeast Missouri and 18 board members.

charris@semissourian.com

388-3641

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