Arts Central Executive Director Cate O’Hagan has concluded her 20 year career at the helm of Arts Central based in Bend, Oregon. “I have resigned in order to pursue new career adventures,” says O’Hagan. “It’s been a good run. I have had the pleasure of seeing the arts in Central Oregon develop and blossom over time. It has been very gratifying to participate in building community through the arts and I look forward to continuing the work.”
Arts Central operates a number of programs, most notably the Art Station, Artists in Schools Program and VanGo. “I leave these programs in the capable hands of Art Education Director Deborah Allen.” When queried about her immediate plans, O’Hagan responds, “well that is a very good question isn’t it? I’m excited to continue doing whatever I can to grow the arts in this region what I can to help integrate them into the regional economic development strategies.”
Board members, who were not aware of the resignation decision, were not available for comment at the time of publication. Board members are President Bert Kronmiller, Secretary Brenda Komar, Treasurer Alyce Dawes, Cindy Briggs, Sharon Calhoun, Gary Chandler, Susan Harkness-Williams, Marsha Stout, Tammy Baney, Ex Officio and Paula Johanson, Ex Officio.
The Art Station is Central Oregon’s only non-profit visual arts school, reaching students of all ages, skill levels and economic means every year, in a place where there are no wrong answers. With a wide variety of adult, child and family offerings ranging from one-day classes to ongoing Art Academies to birthday parties, there are many ways for students to access the excitement of expressing themselves through the artistic process.
At the Art Station, students explore their creative sides with age-appropriate art instruction in year-round classes and workshops. Sculpture, collage, fashion design, glass, paint or pencil…many media, many schedules and many different projects mean a good fit for nearly any age, skill level and interest. Small class sizes allow for personalized instruction from the Art Station’s talented instructors, so students can enjoy a positive and supportive environment.
In February this year Arts Central launched a Hearts for the Arts campaign asking the public to make an impact by supporting Arts Central’s enriching programs. They asked fellow arts lovers to unite and help raise $15,000 to deliver inspired learning to kids in school, to fuel scholarship fund and to take the arts to every corner of our community.
O’Hagan noted at the time, “That economic reality, combined with increasing budget cuts, means there is little or no public funding for arts education in the classroom. Our Artists in Schools program ensures quality, professional arts instruction is part of students’ learning experience from K-12. Nearly 50 percent of the funds to support Artists in Schools comes from business sponsorships and private donations allowing over 3,000 young people to access the learning benefits the arts provide.”
