By Taylor Sisk
Staff Writer
The ArtsCenter has chosen Art Menius as its new executive director, board of directors chair Betsy James announced on Monday.
Menius will take over next week.
“Thanks go to the Search Committee, to Interim Executive Director Jay Miller, our faithful volunteers, to the staff and to the Board for keeping us moving in the right direction up until this point,†James said in a press release.

Menius will be returning home to the Triangle, having left in 2004. He’s a Raleigh native and received bachelor’s and master’s of arts degrees in history from UNC.
He calls The ArtsCenter “dear to my heart†and said that even in his absence he considered Carrboro, Chapel Hill and north Chatham to be home.
“Except for 18 months in Raleigh, I lived within 10 miles of Carrboro from 1973 until 2004. My wife and I are overjoyed to be headed back home.â€
His history with The ArtsCenter, he said, “is deep and provides some of my best memories.â€
In 1983, Menius began writing about roots music for area publications, including the News & Observer and the Independent.
“ArtsCenter founder Jacques Menache had just started presenting live music when I started writing about music for the News & Observer and its Chapel Hill-Carrboro section as a freelancer almost 30 years ago,†he said. “I have no idea how many events at The ArtsCenter I covered over 21 years for the Independent and the News & Observer.â€
In his absence from the area, Menius helped create and served as executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Association, was president of the Old-Time Music Group, was president and manager of the Folk Alliance and served as associate festival coordinator for Merlefest.
From 2007 till 2010, he was director of Appalshop, the Appalachian media and arts center in Whitesburg, Ky.
“This is a wonderful time to be returning,†Menius said, praising ArtsCenter staff and board members and Miller for turning the organization’s financial situation around.
“I have the privilege of coming in on a rising tide. Over the next few years The ArtsCenter will move forward in collaboration with the town and the Carrboro community.â€
Menius said one of his primary objectives in his first few weeks on the job will be to better get to know board and staff members and stakeholders in the community.
Miller will stay on in an unofficial capacity to assist with the transition.
“He’s a good fit for a lot of reasons,†Miller said of Menius, citing his long association with arts organizations, including experience with marketing and sponsorships.
“Just as important, he has experience with nonprofits, with grant writing and fundraising and those sorts of things.â€
You’re fortunate to be getting Art Menius. My husband and I wish he were coming back to Wilkes County.