LYNCHBURG, VA – An exciting “star” search has come to a conclusion at the Academy of Fine Arts. The Academy is pleased to announce David Jenkins as its new Executive Director, effective February 21st.
Hired by the Academy’s search committee comprised of eight Academy board and staff, Jenkins brings 25 years of arts management and historic theatre restoration experience to Lynchburg’s cornerstone of the arts.
“After months of reviewing dozens of qualified applicants from the area and across the country, the search committee concluded David was the right choice to lead the Academy forward,” Cathy Sackett, chair of the search committee, said. “We are very impressed by his passion for the arts, knowledge of historic theatre restoration and his desire to nurture the economic development of downtown Lynchburg.”
Jenkins joins the Academy from Shelby, North Carolina, having recently served as Executive Director of the Don Gibson Theatre. With years of Executive Director appointments at varying theatres, Jenkins has directed the business creation and financial development of two historic theatre restorations and also the programming and operation of several active theatres, bringing the arts to life across America.
“I feel fortunate to have found a project that’s such a unique mixture of past and present,” Jenkins said. “Very few historic theatre restoration efforts have such vibrant art centers attached to them, especially one like the AFA which is already playing such an important role in the community.”
Academy Board President Dave Bowen speaks very highly of Jenkins. “It was immediately clear that David’s experience and professionalism would be great attributes contributing to the success of the Academy. David has already begun establishing relationships with community and local business leaders. While understanding the challenge of capital fund raising, he is eager to join the Academy family in bolstering the renovation of the historic Academy of Music Theatre. The Academy of Fine Arts is excited to embark on a new phase under David’s leadership.”
Jenkins’ passion for the Academy of Fine Arts marries arts programming, historic preservation and downtown revitalization, all as integral drivers for positive economic impact.
“Restored historic theatres always prove to be incomparable engines for downtown development,” Jenkins said. “What’s attracted me to Lynchburg’s downtown is the fact that city leaders already understand the basic message – that these old theatres aren’t just cultural assets when they come back to life. They provide positive economic impact. They attract new tourists, new retail foot traffic, new restaurants, new shops, and they help convince companies to relocate to the area. These effects all translate into new jobs. Bringing these grand old palaces back to life is just good business. It’s one of the smartest, most logical investments a community can make in its future.”
“We are certain that he will be an asset to the Academy of Fine Arts as well as the city as a whole, and look forward to his taking on this important leadership role,” Sackett said.
Founded in 2003 as a merger of the Academy of Music Theatre and the Fine Arts Center, the Academy of Fine Arts today inspires, engages and educates the diverse population of Central Virginia in the performing and visual arts.
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