MONTPELIER, VT.- After 25+ years of leadership at CERF+, Cornelia Carey has announced that she will step down as executive director in October 2022. During her tenure, Carey has guided CERF+ through extraordinary growth and evolution from its early years as a grassroots mutual aid initiative to a national leader in the emerging field of arts emergency management.

“This work has been the heart and soul of my career,” Carey reflects. “I’ve learned so much from so many generous artists and colleagues in both the arts and emergency management fields who’ve shared their knowledge and wisdom. I feel immensely proud of all that we’ve accomplished to help artists build and sustain resilient careers. As we experience increasingly significant climate-related disasters and their impacts on marginalized communities, our work is more important than ever. I know CERF+ will rise to these challenges and enlarge its role as a national artist responder.”

“Cornelia's impact during her time leading CERF+ is immeasurable. It is felt in every corner of our organization, from her mentorship of the staff, to her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, to her steady hand in piloting CERF+ during historic climate-related disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cinda Holt, chair of the CERF+ Board. “We are also deeply grateful for her untiring advocacy on behalf of artists in times of emergency, both within and outside the cultural sector.”

A search committee for the next executive director, co-chaired by CERF+ Board members Wendy Maruyama and Robert Booker, has been assembled. The search process will continue through the spring with plans to have a new director in place by the fall. Carey has offered to participate in an advisory capacity through the new director’s orientation and first months on the job.