Arsht Center CEO John Richard Completes Tenure In 2018

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County announced today that John Richard, president and CEO of the Center will step down from his position at the end of 2018. Under Richard's decade of dedicated leadership, the Arsht Center sparked downtown Miami's cultural transformation, while also earning national and local recognition for its innovative offerings and community-focused programs.

"It has been an honor to serve Miami for the past decade and to be embraced by a community that has generously supported and attended thousands of events at the Arsht Center," said John Richard, CEO of the Arsht Center. "The Center is in a strong position today because of the incredible collaboration between our team of highly passionate professionals, the volunteer leaders on our Boards and the visionary public officials who have worked to create a solid foundation - a Center for the centuries."

From the moment of his appointment, Richard shared Miami's vision for the Center to become a microcosm of South Florida's diverse culture, placing special emphasis on the development of a world-class and community-focused cultural hub. In the last decade, the Arsht Center has flourished, cementing its role as Miami's new Town Square, a term first coined by Richard. Under Richard's leadership, the Center became a centerpiece of Miami's cultural life, presenting a wide variety of performances by more than 20,000 best-in-class artists from around the globe.

"John has accomplished much during his time at The Center and we are grateful that he has led the Center to flourish as a cultural magnet," said Ira D. Hall, chair of the Arsht Center's board of directors. "John's stable, financial management and commitment to providing access to the arts for everyone has helped us to accomplish our goals as an organization faster than many thought possible. His leadership capabilities will be missed by all of us at the Center."

To continue to preserve Richard's tireless work, Hall has selected a search committee that will represent the interests of both the Trust Board and the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Board.

The Arsht Center's 12th Anniversary Gala: A Celebration of Leadership will honor Richard's decade of service to the community and is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 24 in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

"While we are sad to bid John Richard farewell, we are also incredibly grateful for how far we have come under his direction and guidance," said Adrienne Arsht, founding chair of the Arsht Center Foundation and the Gala's honorary chair. John's commitment to the Center and more importantly, his love for greater Miami, has been unwavering. We wish him the absolute best in the next stage of his life."

Thanks to Richard, private/public partnerships have played a pivotal role in the success of the Arsht Center and cemented its role as a community resource. Under Richard's watch, the Arsht has become widely-known - in Miami and around the country - for its award-winning arts education programs. He nurtured and created a unique partnership with Miami-Dade Public Schools to provide millions of dollars in free arts education programs to young people throughout Miami. Rock Odyssey, a flagship arts integration program that launched in 2010 and has offered nearly 200,000 fifth graders a free opportunity to experience the live performing arts. The success of this program led to the development and strong financial support for a second program in 2017 - Kitty Hawk - a first-of-its-kind STEAM-focused musical, giving 25,000 Miami-Dade County 7th graders the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and math through the arts.

Richard built a loyal base of donors and subscribers who make the work of the Arsht possible. He was instrumental in securing several multimillion dollar gifts, including the first gift from the Miller Family and Adrienne Arsht's generous donation for the Center's 10th Anniversary.

In addition, he established the Town Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (TSNDC) and has played an active role in advocating for the improved livability of urban neighborhoods surrounding the Arsht Center through cultural programming and entrepreneurial business ventures. Since its inception, TSNDC is actively engaged in placemaking and has become an authority on the thoughtful development of the neighborhood surrounding the Arsht Center.

Richard plans to remain a Miami resident and will continue his active role in the arts community locally and beyond.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from local, state and national foundations, as well as private contributions to the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation through corporate and individual giving, Visionary Society membership and the Encore Circle major gifts programs.

About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

Set in the heart of downtown Miami and designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world's leading performing arts organizations and venues. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida's diversity as well as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area. Spotlighting legends and serving as a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage, the Center presents nearly 500 events each year across its eight flexible, state-of-the-art performance spaces. The Center programs 12 signature series, including the largest jazz series in South Florida, the biggest flamenco festival on the East Coast, and a robust program of new theatrical works as well as free programming for the community and an arts education program that serves nearly 30,000 children each year. As Miami's new Town Square, the Arsht Center also houses Brava by Brad Kilgore, a fine dining restaurant; the Café at Books & Books in the historic Carnival Tower and a weekly Farmers Market.

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