New Jersey's John Richard New President&CEO Of Arsht Center

John Richard Named President and CEO of the

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

Industry veteran previously served as COO and executive vice president
of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. 

M. John Richard, a performing arts industry veteran who has been a driving force in the development and success of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for the past two decades, has been selected as the new president and chief executive officer of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Lawrence J. Wilker has served as interim president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center since November 2007.

The announcement was made today by J. Ricky Arriola, chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust Board of Directors.

"Throughout his career, John has played a key role in a number of institutional success stories, and I have no doubt that he'll be a great fit for the Adrienne Arsht Center and our community," said Mr. Arriola. "As we reflect on a year highlighted by strong fiscal performance and record-levels of attendance, it's becoming clear that Miami is home to one of the nation's most exciting performing arts centers. I'm confident that in John, we've chosen a leader who will help elevate the Adrienne Arsht Center to the next level, as one of the most prosperous and important centers in the world."

From the time NJPAC opened its doors in downtown Newark, New Jersey in 1997, Mr. Richard has helped the Center earn international recognition for its diversity in programming and community participation, a goal he hopes to pursue as president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. In his dual roles as the organization's chief operating officer and executive vice president, he was responsible for overseeing several departments, including operations, fundraising, marketing, and public affairs. He also spearheaded a number of successful initiatives, including the organization's initial $187 million capital campaign, recruitment of its board of directors, and its $100 million endowment campaign.

Additionally, he was instrumental in developing the nation's fourth-largest arts education program, which offers in-school and on-site residencies, professional development and teacher training programs, and artist training in music, dance, theater, and poetry.

"After nineteen years at NJPAC, my decision to leave New Jersey was a difficult one, but I'm enthusiastic about taking on a new challenge at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Miami is the cultural crossroads for North America, South America, and the Caribbean, and I'm a big believer in the Center's potential as a magnet for bringing people together. As we work to unite Miami's diverse population through the performing arts, the Adrienne Arsht Center will continue to move toward its goal of becoming the premier performing arts center of the twenty-first century," said Mr. Richard.

When he first joined NJPAC in 1989, Mr. Richard was only the second professional hired to get the new Center off the ground. One of his earliest achievements was the recruitment of a strong board of directors comprised of community activists, philanthropists, foundation directors, and corporate executives. Soon, this coalition earned high marks from non-profit organizations throughout the northeast United States. During his tenure, Mr. Richard implemented a number of programs designed to strengthen the Center's community ties, including the Alternate Routes series, which spotlights various ethnicities and their Diasporas; Chase Sounds of the City, a free summer concert series; community advisory councils; and a volunteer corps that reflects the region's diversity.

"Miami's gain is a tough loss for New Jersey," said Governor Jon S. Corzine of New Jersey. "John Richard is a man of extraordinary integrity, with a remarkable insight into the human condition and a deep and abiding commitment to making a difference in this world. His skillful engineering of the original capital campaign to build NJPAC, his responsible oversight of twelve years of operations, and his core belief that the arts center and its communities are intrinsically linked have made New Jersey a better place to live.  Miami is extremely lucky to get him."

Before joining NJPAC, Mr. Richard served as president and CEO of the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation, the fundraising arm of one of the nation's leading pediatric rehabilitation hospitals. In this role, he arranged the hospital's partnership with Children's Miracle Network and implemented a $15 million campaign for annual, capital, and endowment funding.

Mr. Richard is a founder of the Partnership in Philanthropy of New Jersey, an organization that encourages and mentors small non-profits throughout the State. He is active in the Performing Arts Center Consortium of North America and has served as a trustee for the Newark, New Jersey YMWCA. He is also a member of the advisory committee for the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska, where he studied behavioral science.

John Richard and his wife Lynne have two children, Rachel and Aaron.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, and the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council. Education & Outreach is funded in part by The Children's Trust. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from private and corporate contributions to the Performing Arts Center Foundation of Greater Miami through its Membership Program; City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency; Dade Community Foundation; The MAP-Fund, a program of Creative Capital, supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs;  the Florida Arts Council; the National Endowment for the Arts; and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world's leading performing arts organizations and venues. After opening its doors in 2006, the Adrienne Arsht Center has emerged as a cornerstone for the ongoing revitalization of downtown Miami's urban core. Powered by a variety of theatrical, musical and educational programs, the Center offers world-class entertainment almost every day of the week. For more information, visit www.arshtcenter.org.

FALL IN LOVE TODAY!  ADOPT A PET FROM YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER

To post a comment, you must register and login.