Anne Aronovitch retiring as executive director of Morris Arts Council

One of the joys of covering the Greater Morristown area is working with people like Anne Aronovitch. So it’s with a touch of sadness–for purely selfish reasons–that we note she  plans to retire  as executive director of the Arts Council of the Morris Area as soon as a replacement is hired.

Anne, the organization’s former legal counsel, assumed leadership of the Arts Council in 2008 after many years as a volunteer and trustee.

Under her watch the Arts Council nurtured many aspiring artists, encouraged experiments like  “pop up” art shows and pumpkin illuminations, supported multicultural projects like the Music Without Borders   concert series (with the Mayo Performing Arts Center), and was not afraid to explore the lighter side of the artistic world with fanciful exhibitions such as Whimsy.

She endorsed innovative approaches to keep the arts in the public eye despite declining state funding, supporting grass-roots programs like ARTS! By the People and the Art Around the Park series of art walks in Morristown.  Creative fundraising efforts included the  Great Conversations dinner series.

Anne “has been a thorough professional who pays attention to both ‘the big picture’ and the small detail – all with a keen analytical mind, a true appreciation for the arts and a gift for organizational administration,” said Dr. Lynn Siebert, director of arts participation and communications for the Arts Council. “She is also someone who leads by example…never expecting more from others than she expects from herself…a most admirable trait!”

We will be updating this posting with comments from the local art scene. In the meantime, here is the official word from the Arts Council:

Please click icon below for captions.

Anne Aronovitch to Retire as Executive Director of the Arts Council

The Board of Trustees of the Arts Council of the Morris Area announces the upcoming retirement of Anne E. Aronovitch as Executive Director of the Arts Council. The Board has initiated the search for a new Executive Director and qualified candidates should visit the Arts Council website (www.morrisarts.org) for the job posting and application details.

Aronovitch will remain as Executive Director until a new Executive Director is selected and a smooth transition period insured.

Aronovitch’s decision to leave comes at a time when both she and the Board believe that the Arts Council is stronger than at any time in the past. By the end of the fiscal year in June 2012, a new five year strategic plan will be in place and Anne will be leaving behind a strong and vibrant organization with a dedicated, experienced and hardworking staff guaranteed to insure ongoing excellence and continuity of the Council’s work.

Since assuming the role of Executive Director four years ago, Aronovitch has helped guide the organization through difficult economic times that have seen a broad reduction in arts funding. As a passionate champion of the Arts Council, she refused to accept that funding cuts must also mean program cuts and, together with the staff, she found creative ways to continue to deliver the organization’s hallmark programs and services.

Currently, she is spearheading the creation of a new website linked with conversion of the database platform, in addition to leading the process of creating a new five year strategic plan that will ensure the sustainability of the organization for years to come.

Aronovitch began her relationship with the Arts Council in 1986 as a volunteer in the Arts Council’s Business Volunteer in the Arts (BVA) program. Her success in the BVA program led to her joining the Arts Council’s Board of Trustees where she served for 12 years, 11 of which were as the Board Secretary and Legal Counsel.

In 2007, Aronovitch had left the private practice of law to pursue other interests.  “I wanted to re-center my life and have the opportunity to travel,” she explained. Fortunately for the Arts Council, she agreed to apply when the position of Acting Executive Director opened in February, 2008.

She envisioned it solely as a temporary position but, as she later admitted, “I fell in love with the job along the way.” She was appointed Executive Director in June of 2008.

In preparing to leave after her successor is hired, Aronovitch said: “I am grateful to the Board for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It is one of those rare jobs where you can see – very tangibly – how your work touches people’s lives. We really DO make a difference.”