At the end of today’s monthly Board of Directors meeting for the Arts Council for Long Beach, Board President Justin Hectus announced that Executive Director Joan Van Hooten had tendered her resignation, and planned to leave in August.
The resignation comes on the heels of recent fiscal insolvency and allegations of Brown Act violations.
“It is my duty to regretfully share with you that, after 8 years of dedicated service, Joan has decided to retire as Executive Director,” Hectus said. “Joan has worked tirelessly in the face of overwhelming odds, and in the face of significant budget cuts, with support from the city dropping from $1.75 million to $600 thousand. But with even those cuts, she has continued to seek support for our nationally recognized programs and for the community in general, with national, state, and county grants.”
Van Hooten expressed her thanks for the board’s support, and read a quote from Will and Arial Durant about the enduring qualities of civilization. She also read about the benefits of communal quilt making from “Anonymous Was A Woman” by Mirra Bank.
Plans are already under way to seek a replacement for the position.