Arts & Entertainment

Bill Meddick: "That Was...My Breaking Point"

Retired MFAC Executive Director Bill Meddick discusses the Connecticut Office of the Arts evaluation of the MFAC.

 

[The following is from an interview with the 30-year Executive Director of the MFAC, Bill Meddick, . The interview was conducted via email on Monday, July 9th].

Do you know when the board plans on naming a new Executive Director? Were you asked about who would be a good candidate as the new E.D.?

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My understanding from hearing Dolores Hannon (President) mentions the hiring topic at the annual meeting it will be toward the end of summer. I was purposely left out of the process from the beginning; I was told that is how it is done (at least in the education field)

There was a comment that "towns served section includes only demographic information for the Caucasian population." Do you think that the MFAC has been making steps to address the lack of minority participation in the MFAC? As far as you know, are there any non-Caucasian members of the Board of Directors?

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That has been a issue with me for years and have repeatedly pointed out to them when it came time for the nomination process. Currently, it is all white women (6 or 7).  Recently I was saying we at least need a guy on this board.

The assessment noted that there were "Weak connections generally to other CT LAAs." Did you make any personal efforts to connect with other Local Arts Associations in the region? If so, how were your efforts received by the board of directors?

This past year (2011 – 2012) my focus was exactly on that effort and was very positive and excited by the possibilities of these new valuable partners. The cultural emphasis throughout the State was thinking regionally, sharing resources & services, and preventing duplication of programs, increasing the audience bases.

It was truly exciting and we were making great headway very quickly and our various local regional art agencies were in unison on this plan.

My Board was appreciative of my efforts but they wanted me to focus locally and that was kind of my breaking point after doing a great deal of positive work to then to have to deal with Board-created operating issues.


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