New faces, employment opportunities

Did you ever have one of those sad but happy days? I’m sad because my colleague Sasha Eisele has ended her tenure as our Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism Coordinator, but happy that she is developing her nonprofit consultancy business -- and that she will continue to work with the Arts Alliance.

Sasha brought vision, skill, an upbeat personality and a can-do attitude to her work with us and we wish her the very best as she pursues new adventures in the nonprofit world.

We'll be advertising her part-time position, funded in part by an ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) grant, this month. If you’re interested in learning more email us at info@aannh.org. Even in these difficult times there are a number of interesting arts and culture jobs available in the region; we're committed to keeping you informed about those (see below), and to welcoming some extremely talented people who have recently taken executive positions with our member organizations.

Mountain Top Music Center's (mountaintopmusic.org) new Executive Director is Mike Sakash, who moved to the Mt. Washington Valley three years ago from Pittsburgh (the one in Pennsylvania!). His wife grew up in the Valley and they wanted to settle in a region that combined cultural opportunities with a slower pace of life. Mike, who worked as a college music professor and conductor, is a saxophone player. Since moving to New Hampshire he’s taught music on a freelance basis and at Fryeburg Academy, as well as at Mountain Top, where his priorities include reaching more students, developing an early childhood woods program, and supporting music programs in local schools.

The Mount Washington Valley Arts Association (mwvarts.org) welcomes Executive Director Cynthia Melendy, a longtime arts supporter with an extensive background in development, fundraising, writing and organizing. Cynthia grew up on the shores of Lake Chocorua, and, after traveling extensively, has returned to her roots – settling in the Ossipee Mountains where she finds time to kayak, watch the birds and explore the woods. She has worked with the Maine Audubon Society, the Portland Museum of Art, and the Chebeague (Maine) Island Library. She has written about the Arts and Crafts community in Chocorua, and taught U.S., Women’s, Environmental and Architectural history at the University of Maine and other colleges.

Also newly arrived from Maine is Michael Desplaines, Executive Director of Castle in the Clouds (castleintheclouds.org) in Moultonborough, who comes to the Castle after serving five years as E.D. at McLaughlin Garden in South Paris, Maine. Previous work included directing the Cranston (R.I.) Public School system's 21st Century Community Learning Center and directing programs for the YMCA of Greater Providence.

Teri Bordenave has been appointed as the new Interim Director of the Frost Place (www.frostplace.org) in Franconia. She served 20 years as President/CEO of Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region in New York. 

If you're looking for an arts-related job, or have a cultural position that needs filling, check out our Connections and Opportunities site for information on these employment opportunities, or to to post your own: 

In northern New Hampshire:
• Gallery Assistant at Plymouth State University's Drerup Gallery
• Executive Director, Remick Farm and Museum, Tamworth
• Executive Director, Alumni Hall, Haverhill

and beyond:
• Executive Director, New Hampshire Writers' Project, Manchester
• Associate Designer for US Mint Artistic Infusion Program 

Connections and Opportunities is a new interactive site where you can find information about workshops, classes, meetings, conferences, employment opportunities, grant and funding announcements, exhibit and performance opportunities, and other arts- and culture-related resources. Please post your notices, help us keep the region informed, and let us know what's happening.