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Arts council announces hiring of new executive director

West Kootenay Regional Arts Council’s director changes mountain range The Whistler Community Arts Council announced this week the appointment of a full-time executive director.

West Kootenay Regional Arts Council’s director changes mountain range

The Whistler Community Arts Council announced this week the appointment of a full-time executive director.

Doti Niedermayer, the executive director for the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council since 1998, moves from Nelson, B.C. to Whistler to start her role with the local arts council.

Previously, Niedermayer worked as co-ordinator for the Vancouver exhibit Artropolis (held in 1993 at the Woodward’s building), was a fund-raiser with the Vancouver Fringe Festival (1990), and communications manager for the Greater Vancouver Alliance for Arts & Culture, a group that works with Tourism Vancouver and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association to create arts initiatives.

"The new director really comes in as a leader, and there is room for analysis by that leader in terms of community relations, and studies of other art centres we can look to as examples," says John Hewson, WCAC chair.

He says there was strong competition among the finalists but Niedermayer "will fit into the community well, for this far-reaching and expansive role."

Niedermayer’s appointment is part of the council’s long-term strategic plan to develop the arts and art programs in Whistler. The executive director’s position – a new position – is funded by a grant-in-aid from the Resort Municipality of Whistler.

Niedermayer’s first appearance will be at Whistler’s annual ARTrageous, the local art exhibit and sale, which takes place July 5 at the underground of the Whistler Conference Centre.

The responsibilities of the executive director as outlined by the WCAC strategic plan will include overseeing staffing and volunteers, initiating fund-raising grants, and building community relationships and partnerships.

Niedermayer holds a diverse portfolio of arts management roles which also include events management, publicist for theatre productions, and community arts development.

Vancouver search firm Career Contacts was hired to assist with the search, which received applications from all over the world.

The local hiring panel shortlisted 11 applicants, narrowing the applications to down to four. Interviews took place over an intensive three-day review period.

Representatives from Whistler-Blackcomb, the RMOW, Maurice Young Millennium Place, and two members of the WCAC, including Hewson, participated in the review.

Kasi Lubin, who has co-ordinated various projects in a volunteer role with the council, assisted with the process.

In a press release the WCAC says Niedermayer is, "excited to join the Whistler arts community… and brings a desire to integrate the arts into everyday life."

All WCAC events were supported by a volunteer board through 1999. At that time an office manager was hired to assist with the functioning of the WCAC events.

The office of the Whistler Community Arts Council is located at Maurice Young Millennium Place.

For more information call 604-935-8419 or email wh-artscouncil@direct.ca.