Arts Consulting Group Recruits CEO for the Worcester Center for Performing Arts
December 18, 2024 – Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group (ACG) has placed Alan Seiffert as the new president and CEO of the Worcester Center for Performing Arts, the non-profit behind The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Worcester, MA. He will assume his new position on January 1, succeeding Troy Siebels who announced his resignation in June. Mr. Seiffert was selected from a national executive search which garnered nearly 100 applicants. Bruce D. Thibodeau and Renée Danger-James led the assignment. “Alan has a strong skill set to complement our talented team. I’m looking forward to working with him and supporting his vision for the future,” said Mr. Siebels.
“Alan’s strengths as a visionary and strategic thinker combined with his thoughtful, humble, and empowering style will bring great energy and guidance to the team and community,” said Kellie Thibodeau, board chair. “The board voted unanimously and enthusiastically to welcome Alan as the next president and CEO.”
Mr. Seiffert most recently as head of global business development for TED Conferences where he led all business development, partnerships, licensing, and distribution activities for TED, as well as creating recurring revenue streams in key growth areas, including live events, audio and podcasts, streaming/television, and consumer products. Before that, he served as the executive director for Paisley Park (The Prince Estate) where he oversaw an active museum, production facility, recording studio, and performance space that once served as Prince’s home and creative sanctuary. Before Paisley Park, Mr. Seiffert was VP and assistant general manager of BET LIVE at Black Entertainment Television (Viacom), and he SVP vice president of business development & partnerships at CNBC Asia.
“I am excited to join The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory to build upon its legacy of success, bringing the transformative power of the performing arts to audiences and students of all ages throughout our diverse community,” said Mr. Seiffert. “The Hanover Theatre’s revitalization of downtown Worcester continues as we establish ourselves as the premier cultural touchstone for a burgeoning and diverse Central Massachusetts. I look forward to leading that effort with our visionary team of leaders and volunteers.”
Worcester Center for Performing Arts (Hanover Theatre & Conservatory) is comprised of four key components — the Main Stage, the Conservatory, The Hanover Theatre Repertory, and the Francis R. Carroll Plaza. Since the renovation and restoration in 2008, the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory has served as a center of culture, education, and community, and it symbolizes the rebirth of a city — Worcester, MA.
Serving the Arts and Culture Industries
Arts Consulting Group provides interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement consulting, facilities and program planning, and organizational development services for the arts and culture industry. The firm has identified senior-level leaders for the Long Beach Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Chicago Opera, Stockton Symphony Association and Portland Baroque Orchestra, among others. The firm has offices in Boston; Calgary; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Halifax; Los Angeles; Nashville, TN; New York; Portland, OR; San Francisco; Tampa, FL; Toronto; and Washington, D.C.
Related: Arts Consulting Group Assists Shakespeare Theatre Company with Executive Director Search
Mr. Thibodeau founded ACG in 1997 and has been part of numerous projects in all practice areas to grow institutional sustainability, advance the arts and culture sector, and enhance communities served by the industry. Dr. Thibodeau has guided hundreds of non-profit, university and government clients in achieving effective leadership transitions, planning cultural facilities, increasing revenues, developing dynamic institutional brands and messages, crafting strategic plans and business models, and revitalizing board governance practices.
Ms. Danger-James brings nearly 30 years of experience as a non-profit administrator and development professional within the arts and culture sector, as well as in higher education. Her expertise covers the areas of relationship and consensus building, fundraising, event management, strategic visioning, and business mediation across diverse constituencies.
Arts Consulting Group also recently recruited Carrie Taylor as the new executive director of the Winsor Historical Society. “We knew we had big shoes to fill with Doug’s retirement,” said search committee co-chair Liz Burke. “We are just thrilled to have been able to attract someone with the museum experience and commitment to inclusion that Carrie brings to the position.”
“I want to congratulate Liz, Kaleitha, and the whole search committee on such an effective and successful recruitment effort,” said society president Randy McKenney. “We were committed to bringing on a person worthy of this role and of the community’s expectations, and we are so pleased that Carrie has accepted our offer to lead the organization. The search committee’s effort was facilitated by the arts consulting group, and funded by a generous grant from the non-profit support program at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.”
Related: Arts Consulting Group Tapped by the Bruce to Lead COO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
