Cultural Council Names Executive Director
September 18, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – September 18, 2012 – The board of directors of the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, at its August board meeting, has named Norree Boyd-Wicks executive director.
Mrs. Boyd-Wicks started her not-for-profit administrative experience in Columbia as director of administrative services for the National Association for Campus Activities, then as research parks manager for the South Carolina Research Authority. She left South Carolina in 1990 to work in arts administration as vice president of the Palm Beach County (FL) Cultural Council, then as director of the Missouri Arts Council, and more recently as executive director of the Nashville Arts Commission. Mrs. Boyd-Wicks returned to South Carolina nearly three years ago.
“We are very pleased that Mrs. Boyd-Wicks has agreed to become the permanent executive director. She has provided good leadership during this transitional period. Her extensive knowledge and experience in local and state arts agency management will be an asset to the council as the Council moves forward,” said Jan Burt, past-chairman of the board of the Cultural Council.
“I look forward to working with Mrs. Boyd-Wicks. This is an exciting time for the Council. I am very pleased that she has been made the permanent director as I assume my role as the new chairman of the Council,” said Jon Robinson, elected chairman at the August meeting.
“The cultural community is such a vibrant and important part of the Midlands. This is an exciting opportunity and I look forward to furthering the mission of the Cultural Council and working with the board to find new opportunities to promote and strengthen the arts,” said Boyd-Wicks.
She is married to British racecar driver, Phil Wicks.
Boyd-Wicks has been serving as interim director since January following the resignation of Andy Witt. Mr. Witt left the Council to take an arts administration position in St. Augustine FL. He had been the executive director of the Cultural Council for the past seven years.
In the 2012-2013 arts year, the Cultural Council will provide over $200,000 in grants to artists and arts organizations for their innovation, inspiration, education and collaboration at performances and exhibitions throughout Richland and Lexington Counties. Audience attendance in the Midlands continues to grow, and for the first time in a number of years workplace giving to the arts is on the rise. Over the past six months, the Cultural Council has managed successful fundraising events for the arts through its annual Founders’ Dinner in October and Color the Arts event in April. In addition, the organization works closely with governmental agencies, taxing districts, corporate sponsors and private donors to support the arts and cultural events throughout the Midlands.
The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties was founded in 1984. It provides grants, technical assistance and professional development, information resources, arts education and arts advocacy.
