Contact:

Olivia Dodd, President & CEO
707-356-2181 | Olivia@artscouncilnv.org

For Immediate Release

Arts Council Napa Valley Announces CEO Succession in 2019

August 23, 2018 [Napa, CA] After six years, Olivia Dodd has tendered her resignation to pursue the next chapter of her career, effective by March 1, 2019. Dodd, 32, has served as President & CEO of Arts Council Napa Valley since March 2012. Prior to 2012, Dodd served the organization in a variety of capacities, including Vice Chair of the Board and Administrative Assistant, beginning in 2009.

“It is with mixed emotion that I announce my plans to leave the Arts Council after nearly ten years of service. It has been a true honor to be a part of this organization and I am extremely proud of the part we have played in growing Napa County’s cultural vibrancy. Before departing, I look forward to seeing through some exciting new projects, and updates to our programs and services,” said Dodd.

Board Chair, Richard Hall, commented, “We are sorry to see Olivia depart the agency but are excited for her to continue her professional journey. We are all grateful for her many years of service to the arts in Napa County. During this transition period, it is our priority to find the best individual to lead the Arts Council and further our mission to ensure a vibrant arts community for all residents.”

Dodd’s seven years of executive leadership include a number of significant accomplishments, including:

• Formation of the ACNV Education Alliance, which has been responsible for: a countywide TK-12 public school arts education assessment, the unanimously approved NVUSD Arts Master Plan, and a funder coalition providing over $130k per year for district-wide arts education initiatives that will benefit over 18,000 students.

• 8 years of Napa Valley Arts in April, a unified arts and culture month campaign with over 40 participating events annually, which won the state Visit California Poppy Award and national Americans for the Arts Cultural Tourism Award

• Improving local government partnerships on behalf of the arts community and growing public investments in community arts, resulting in: the renewal and doubling of the County of Napa’s Arts & Culture Fund to over $220,000 annually; the passage of a Public Art Process in American Canyon; and the formation of partnerships with County of Napa, American Canyon, and City of Napa

• Leveraging a significant multi-year contribution from the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation for the creation of the ACNV Community Fund, providing over $40k a year to small nonprofits and individual artists

• Development of disaster support and recovery for local artists, nonprofits and private businesses during the 2014 Earthquake and 2017 Fires, including attracting more than $150k in recovery funding and over $30k in in-kind contributions

• Growing ACNV’s annual budget from $293,000 to $550,000 per year

A Search Committee of the ACNV board has been established, which will oversee the hiring and transition process. An official announcement of the opening will be made shortly, including directions for interested candidates.

On the pending transition, Dodd added, “I look forward assisting in the orientation of the new CEO and watching the organization continue to thrive and make positive impacts on the community. With the strong leadership of our diverse hard-working board and wonderful skilled staff, this is a great opportunity for the lucky new director.”

Comments or questions during the transition process may be addressed to Olivia@ArtsCouncilNV.org. All inquiries regarding the opening should be directed to the Search Committee directly, care of Chair Mechele Manno at CEOsearch@ArtsCouncilNV.org.

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Arts Council Napa Valley is a non-profit agency that connects, advocates, and leads the arts community in Napa County. For more information, please visit ArtsCouncilNapaValley.org.