Stamford Center for the Arts Executive Director Elissa O. Getto to Resign

The Board of Directors of Stamford Center for the Arts announced today that Executive Director, Elissa O. Getto, will be resigning effective January 1, 2013. Ms. Getto began as a consultant with SCA in the fall of 2008 while the organization was in bankruptcy and was named Executive Director in July 2009.

During Ms. Getto’s tenure, SCA emerged successfully from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and resumed programming. In addition to programming, Ms. Getto reinstated and expanded Education programs, re-energized SCA Membership, and rebuilt the staff from three full time employees to eleven. Working with the Board, Ms. Getto also refinanced the organization’s debt obligations, and the organization achieved an operating surplus in each of the last three fiscal years. Ms. Getto also spent over a year, working with staff, the Board, and representatives of HARMAN Industries, to procure a substantial in-kind donation of a brand new, state-of-the-art sound system for the Palace Theatre.

“On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, I want to express my appreciation for Elissa’s strong and wise leadership over the last four years through some very difficult times,” said SCA Board Chairman Michael L. Widland.

Ms. Getto served as President and CEO of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC and the Executive Director and CEO of Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL. In addition to founding G2 Consulting Group, Ms. Getto also acted as the General Manager for Theatre Projects Consultants in Norwalk, CT.

“I am so proud to have been a part of the successful rebirth of Stamford Center for the Arts, first as a consultant and then as Executive Director,” said Ms. Getto. “I look forward to returning to the consulting world where I can hopefully help other non-profits find their way back to financial solvency.”

The vision of the Stamford Center for the Arts is to be the regional arts center for exciting entertainment that enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of the community. The SCA strives to achieve this vision by demonstrating integrity in all work and relationships, providing service and quality in all activities, fostering and promoting diversity of thought, ideas and culture, providing stewardship for the Stamford Arts community, emphasizing outreach in our community, and offering creativity in all endeavors. Major funding is provided by the Department of Economic & Community Development.