The Greene County Council on the Arts is pleased to announce Marline A. Martin as its new Executive Director following an executive director search process. She began her tenure on July 9, 2018.
Martin, who has a career spanning more than 20 years, held leadership positions at or has been affiliated with some of New York’s leading arts and cultural organizations including Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, The Children’s Art Carnival, TRANSART & Cultural Services, Urban Dance Collective, the Caribbean Cultural Center and While We Are
Still Here. For the past seven years, Marline has served as the Executive Director of the LeRoy Neiman Art Center in Harlem. Marline holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the City College of New York, a graduate certificate in Arts Management from Columbia University and a graduate diploma in International Law & Relations from the University of the West Indies. She is also an artist, curator and writer. Her dedication to the arts has received major recognition and awards including the Harlem Women of Excellence Award, Zeta Phi Beta/Five Pearls Foundation Award and Arts Mid-Hudson Individual Artist Award. Marline also has a long history with the New York State Council on the Arts as a panelist and grantee through her work with respective organizations.
“We are elated to engage a leader for the organization with Marline’s depth of experience in arts administration,” says Bill Deane, GCCA’s Board President and chair of the search committee. “We are grateful to Kay Stamer, who did terrific work strengthening the organization. Marline will build on this legacy, carrying GCCA forward with a fresh vision.”
Martin succeeds Kay Stamer, who served as Executive Director since her appointment in 1982 and left the organization in June 2018. She takes on the role at a time of great change and challenge when local arts agencies across New York State are evolving towards regional activities benefiting artists, arts organizations and diverse communities. Established 42 years ago, the Council approaches the next step in its evolution as an organization with a sense of renewed mission and purpose and it begins its journey towards the next 42 years. This new journey includes regionalizing its efforts on the arts by increasing its outreach to the neighboring Columbia and Schoharie counties. Ms. Martin will work to expand the Arts Council’s presence, foster and build relationships and generate new opportunities for artists, arts organizations and the arts community in all three counties.
“The GCCA has a remarkable history of celebrating and supporting the arts,” states Martin. “I am looking forward to doing ground-breaking work as its new Executive Director working with board, staff, and the communities we serve. I hope to contribute to its growth and relevance as GCCA leaps into a bright new future.”