Allied Arts without an executive director

Apr. 10—Allied Arts has an opening for its executive director position.

The local arts organization's program coordinator, Kristin Allen, told The Union-Recorder that now-former executive director Dr. Carla Walter's last day was Friday, March 31. No reason for her departure was given.

"During this transition, Allied Arts operation will be conducted by the chair of the board and the staff of Allied Arts," Allen said in an email to the newspaper.

Allen is one of three Allied Arts staff members, according to the organization's website.

Allied Arts has provided programming since 1986 with the mission to bring a broad range of inclusive experiences in the performing, visual, literary and heritage arts. The organization is funded by Milledgeville city government and grants it obtains. Allied Arts is governed by an 11-member board, although not all of those seats are currently filled.

Walter had served in the executive role since late August 2022. A California native, she originally came to Milledgeville in 2021 as Georgia College & State University's Newell Visiting Scholar. The visiting scholar program promotes GCSU's liberal arts mission by bringing eminent scholars in arts, humanities, social sciences and physical sciences to campus. In that role, Walter taught a course on indigenous sacred dance and religious histories. Walter's dance expertise also led her to open a dance studio locally in 2021 called Dance in the Spirit where she taught both adult and child classes until coming on as Allied Arts executive director.

According to Allen, a search will begin soon to find Walter's replacement.

"An approximate 60- to 90-day timeline has been established for an expected replacement of the executive director position. A job posting will go out soon. All programs and events associated with Allied Arts will continue as they have been."

Through its website, milledgevillealliedarts.com, is promoting exhibits and other events as far out as August.