MANCHESTER, NH.- Southern Vermont Arts Center announces that Anne Corso, Executive Director, will be stepping down from her position as of January 5, 2024. Anne has served in her current role since January 2019. Under her leadership, SVAC built a talented team to move from a seasonal local arts center to the thriving year-round arts organization that sees close to 35,000 visitors and participants annually.

During Anne's tenure, SVAC oversaw the creation of nationally and internationally relevant exhibitions such as The Red Dress and Ashley Bryan: The Spirit of Joy; exponential growth in educational classes, camps, and school partnerships; creation an annual Holiday Craft Market; the launch of SVAC’s signature restaurant curATE café; development of a grants program that secured funding from national foundations, numerous improvements to the organization’s buildings and campus; the launch of a partnership with Maple Street School to bring a preschool to SVAC’s campus; and an increase in the roster of artists, members, donors, and community supporters and partners.

In addition to her role as Executive Director at SVAC, Anne participated in numerous community organizations serving as the President of the Manchester Business Association, an invited participant in the New England Museum Directors Roundtable, a frequent guest lecturer for Green Mountain Academy of Lifelong Learning, a juror for many local and regional art exhibitions, and a supporter of many of the cultural and nonprofit organizations in the southern Vermont community.

Reflecting on her time at SVAC, Anne states: “I am honored to have had the unwavering support of a dedicated group of trustees, passionate staff, and a warm and welcoming community. I have learned much, and grown professionally and personally as a result of my time at SVAC and in Vermont.”

SVAC’s board of trustees will begin a national search for the next Executive Director. In the meantime, the board has named Connie Blatchford Interim Executive Director. Connie has served as the Deputy Director for Operations and External Affairs since June 2019.

“Anne’s tenure at SVAC has brought about a revitalization of the organization and its impact on our community. We have seen record attendance, significant growth in membership, and high-caliber exhibitions and programs. We will miss her.” says Bob Van Degna, SVAC’s President of the Board of Trustees.