PACE Announces Search for Executive Director
Collins to Head Building Construction Management
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cheryl Engstrom, for PACE, 425.487.0682 or 
BELLEVUE, Wash. (Mar. 15, 2006) – As Performing Art Center Eastside (PACE) ramps up for groundbreaking, scheduled for fall 2006, PACE's executive director Richard Collins announced a change in his responsibilities to accelerate the development components of the massive construction project.
"For several years, our focus has been laying the foundation necessary for PACE to enter its construction phase," says Collins. "As we move forward toward opening the Center in late 2008, we have a tremendous amount that has to be accomplished. It is essential that we expand and strengthen the executive management team as we plan for construction and on-going operations of a 2,000-seat performing arts center and the 400,000 people who will visit PACE in its first year."
As a result, Collins will step aside as executive director and concentrate on overseeing the theatre's design and construction. PACE's board is launching a national search for a new executive director, led by Search Committee Co-Chairs, Maxine Barnard and Cathi Hatch.
"We are looking for an experienced professional in the executive director role, someone who can provide programming oversight and financial leadership to prepare PACE and the community for the grand opening of the Center," said Skip Rowley, chairman of the board for PACE. He went on to say, "We're confident we will find the right person for this key position. This is one of the most vibrant urban performing arts centers being developed in the country and should be viewed by prospective candidates as a truly prime position." Collins will remain in his current role, until his replacement is found, directing PACE operations and managing the preparations for construction.
"It will be hard to fill Dick's shoes. He's been a part of PACE since the very beginning," says Kemper Freeman, founding member of the board of PACE, co-chair of the $100 Million Capital and Endowment Campaign, and chairman and CEO of Kemper Development Company. "Dick has done a tremendous job getting the project to this point, but we understand and appreciate his desire to shift responsibilities."
Performing Arts Center Eastside is a 2000-seat premier regional center for the performing arts. Its mission is to enrich cultural life with a wide diversity of live entertainment, arts, and education. PACE will stimulate the arts region-wide; attract new audiences; heighten arts awareness and education; provide a performance home for select area arts organizations; and serve as a cultural center for the Eastside.
With plans to open in late 2008, PACE will be located in downtown Bellevue on the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE. Nearly $14M has been raised for the $100 Million Capital and Endowment Campaign with 100% board participation and the gift of land valued at $8M.