STROHMEYER FILLS IN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STATE ARTS COUNCIL

Three years ago, Beverly Strohmeyer was directing the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in a former beauty salon at the corner of Sprigg and Independence Streets in Cape Girardeau. Earlier this month, she became acting executive director of the St. Louis-based Missouri Arts Council, which last year distributed $5.4 million to state arts organizations.

"When I left I never expected something like this to happen," Strohmeyer said in a phone interview.

She was named acting executive director of the MAC after Flora Maria Garcia resigned from the position earlier this month. After 3 1/2 years on the job, Garcia returned to Texas to become the executive director of the arts council in Fort Worth. She confided in co-workers a desire to have a less stressful work environment.

"The most stressful part is dealing with the Legislature," Strohmeyer said. "We have to educate the Legislature and have to go through the legislative process each year to get funding."

She said Garcia's major legacy was to advance the Missouri Cultural Trust to the point where the MAC is now distributing money from it. The Cultural Trust was established as a grant program to help arts organizations sustain themselves.

It is funded by taxes paid by out-of-state entertainers and athletes. The MAC receives 60 percent of those taxes.

The trust contains $25 million now, with a goal of reaching $100 million in public funding that will generate more than $100 million in private dollars.

After 12 years directing the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Strohmeyer left in 1997 to work for the MAC, beginning as administrator of the community arts program. She then assumed the job of assistant director for programs, a position she still holds while taking on the role of acting executive director.

Garcia departed during the first week of the process in which the MAC reviews 15 different panels to make funding decisions. "It has been very challenging ... trying to get through all of these panels and having to do the executive director's job," Strohmeyer said.

She said she was appointed acting director because she has been with the MAC longer than the two other top administrators, one of whom was hired in November and the other in February.

A committee has been appointed to conduct a national search for Garcia's permanent replacement. Strohmeyer said she will not apply for the job.

Joe Driskell, director of the Department of Economic Development, will appoint the new executive director.

Strohmeyer complimented the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and its move to gallery space at 119 Independence St.

"I think the new space is something I would have strived to do but I never thought we could afford to be there," she said. "I am really pleased with the progress they have made."