The Ashtabula Arts Center is pleased to announce that Meeghan Humphrey, deputy director and visual arts director, has been chosen by the arts center’s Board of Trustees to take over the position of executive director following the departure of Lori Robishaw at the end of June. Robishaw has been hired as the executive director of the La Grua Center in Stonington, Connecticut.
Robishaw, who grew up in Ashtabula County and has an extensive background in arts management, joined the arts center staff in late 2013. In her time as executive director, she updated financial management practices, facilitated the redesigning of the arts center’s website, and expanded the effective use of information technology, as well as working with the board to update its governance practices.
Board President Debbi Waring stated “Lori has been a wonderful asset to the arts center, as well as to the community. She has built many new relationships and laid the groundwork for potential partnerships for the arts center by increasing the arts center’s visibility in Ashtabula County through outreach and development efforts. I have worked closely with her over the last two years as board president and I’m sorry to see her go, but I wish her all the best.”
“What are the odds that when I came home to be with my ill father after many years away, that this job would open for the first time in 28 years?” Robishaw commented on her employment at the arts center. “I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and contribute to the place that was so meaningful in helping me choose a career. And I’ve had the privilege of working with a staff and volunteer dream team – chief among them Meeghan Humphrey. She has a lifelong history with the arts center and the community, and I know she’ll do an excellent job leading the organization forward.”
Waring said of Humphrey, “Meeghan’s experience will help make the transition of executive directors a smooth one. She has worked closely with Lori, learning all aspects of the arts center’s administrative activities. The board is very much looking forward to working with her.”
Humphrey, who was promoted to the position of deputy director earlier this year, says she’s enthusiastic about the opportunities to expand outreach efforts that her new role will bring: “I’m looking forward to making stronger connections with other organizations and community leaders. I also want us to continue on our trajectory of producing higher-quality programming and expanding access to that programming in the community, connecting with new people and working to remove barriers to their involvement at the arts center. We’ve made some important strides there in the last few months, and that’s where our potential for growth is. I’m pleased that the board has put their confidence in me to take the organization forward.”