Just a few days after unveiling the opening season lineup for the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, Western Illinois University is looking for someone new to lead the venue.
GCPA Director Anne Lefter is leaving WIU to become executive director of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa.
She begins the new job on July 1.
Lefter was named the Goldfarb Center’s director two years ago, when construction of the $119 million building was about half completed.
The center is scheduled to open this fall.
Over the weekend, Lefter announced the professional acts scheduled to perform on the Goldfarb Center’s main stage, opening with bluegrass band Chicken Wire Empire on Sept. 16. Lefter called the inaugural year A Season of Joy. But now, the shows will go on without her.
In an email to the campus community, Provost Mark Mossman said, “Dr. Anne Lefter has been instrumental in putting this inaugural season together, and her drive in moving the GCPA to its completion has been truly remarkable.”
Mossman said the administration will soon announce an Interim director for the Goldfarb CPA as well as the search for a permanent director.
Before coming to WIU, Lefter served as Director of the Arts for the Community College of Baltimore County.
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