AUDIENCE ARCHITECTS NAMES HEATHER HARTLEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CHICAGO – Audience Architects (AA), the non-profit, dance service organization in Chicago, has named Heather Hartley as its first Executive Director. Her appointment has been made possible by a $225,000, three-year grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which was announced this past July to expand AA’s administrative infrastructure, grow core programs and expand services to the field.

“Since 2006 Audience Architects has made significant contributions to the Chicago dance community with only one full-time staff member and volunteer support,” says Carol Fox, board president. “The appointment of Heather to the position of executive director signifies the beginning of a new era and expanded opportunities for Audience Architects, SeeChicagoDance.com and TakeChicagoDance.com to provide valuable audience enhancement services to Chicago’s rich and diverse dance industry.”

“The Board felt it was essential that the executive director and program manager not only have the necessary experience and administrative skills to complete the duties, but have knowledge of and a sincere passion for dance and the Chicago community as well,” says Gail Kalver, board vice president. “We are extremely fortunate to have found Heather and Carissa who possesses all this and more.”

Having worked as a dance artist and dance industry professional in Chicago for the last 15 years, Hartley has a depth and breadth of knowledge of the needs of the dance community in all its forms-from independent artists to the most established companies and everyone in between. She has served as a senior staff member for two of Chicago’s most respected dance organizations, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (director of marketing and communications, 2004-2006) and The Dance Center of Columba College Chicago (marketing director, 1998-2004). She has also served as director of the Chicago Dancemaker’s Forum and as a non-profit arts management and marketing consultant through Hartley Communications. As an artist, Hartley has performed in more than 35 works in Chicago. Hartley’s insights and experience as both a working artist and a member of the performing arts community inform her organizational leadership on an intimate level, giving her an extensive understanding of both the needs of the artist and arts organizations. Hartley holds a MA degree in Interdisciplinary and Media Arts from Columbia College and a BFA in Dance from the University of North Carolina.

As executive director, Hartley will provide the overall leadership and direction to support the board’s vision and implement the board’s strategies for AA’s programs, projects, outreach and fundraising efforts. Hartley will work in conjunction with program manager Carissa Johnson who came on board with Audience Architects this past August to manage the day-to-day operations and core programs of AA including SeeChicagoDance.com, TakeChicagoDance.com and the MetLife New Stages for Dance grant initiative.