PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/22/15
Contact: Leslie LaSala, Director of Marketing & Communications
203/222-7070 leslie@westportartscenter.org
Attached image:
1. Cynthia Armijo, Westport Arts Center’s new Executive Director. Photo by Helen
Klisser During.
WESTPORT ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
After an extensive search, the Westport Arts Center has found a new Executive
Director to drive the next phase of its growth and expansion.
Weston resident Cynthia Armijo has been named the Westport Arts Center’s new
Executive Director. Her previous roles include serving as the Director of National
Advocacy for the non-profit Boys Town, the Executive Director of Boys Town
New York, and the CEO/Executive Director of the Norwalk YMCA.
Throughout her career, which began in the financial services arena, Ms. Armijo
has been a long-time volunteer and supporter of non-profit organizations.
“From an early age, I was taught that the quality of our community was based on
the involvement of each of us. My father was an active volunteer in San
Francisco where I grew up and since my early twenties I have been a part of
organizations that emphasize education and exposure to the arts,” said Armijo.
“We are bringing art to the community in new ways and our outreach programs
create a link to communities that would otherwise be disconnected,” she added.
Chrissey Hunt, President of the Westport Arts Center Board of Directors, stated,
“Cynthia will lead the organization with a results orientation and an appreciation
for the important role that the arts and the Westport Arts Center play in our
community.”
“We are pleased that Cynthia has accepted the Executive Directorship. Her
credentials are perfect for us, and we look forward to our next chapter under her
leadership,” said Bill Felton, Westport Arts Center Board Member.
Armijo’s combination of financial, non-profit, operational and fund-raising
experience make her uniquely poised to help drive future growth for the Westport
Arts Center. Her appointment comes at a time when the Arts Center has been
focused on securing a new physical location in order to provide expanded visual
and performance arts programming and deeper community outreach efforts.
“Cynthia arrives at an opportune time as the Town’s final planning
recommendations for the Westport Arts Center and our own ambitions converge.
We are excited to envision a wonderful downtown location for our future home as
an anchor to Westport's cultural and arts community,” said Lance Lundberg,
Westport Arts Center’s Chairman of the Board.
Armijo also brings extensive regulatory and legislative experience to her new
role. In her position as Director of National Advocacy for Boys Town, she worked
with representatives of local, state and federal government on legislation
designed to create meaningful change for families and children. Additionally, she
was an elected board member of the Council and Family and Child Care
Agencies in New York City.
“Our local, state and federal representatives are all relevant to the Westport Arts
Center,” said Armijo. “Ultimately these are the people who help to bring funding
back to our community.”
Armijo, who was born in San Francisco, CA, earned her undergraduate degree at
San Francisco Sate University. She is married and is the mother of three girls.
“I’m taking the reigns of a very well-run organization, and we will continue to build
the Westport Arts Center’s influence as the premiere arts organization in the
community,” Armijo said.
“I’m joining a fantastic team already in place and I look forward to getting to know
our donors, community partners, and all the friends of the organization,” she
added.
About the Westport Arts Center
The Westport Arts Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting
community through the arts, reaches more than 11,000 people annually through
outstanding programs in visual arts, arts education, and the performance arts of
Chamber music, Jazz, and film.
The Westport Arts Center receives philanthropic support from 4th Row Films, the
Aibel Foundation, the Arnhold Foundation, Artur and Heida Hermanns Holde
Foundation, Inc., Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Bernstein Global
Wealth Management, Borrowed - A Vintage Inspired Company, the Brant
Foundation, CBP, Cannupa Foundation, the Carl Marks Foundation, Cohen and
Wolf, P.C., the Connecticut Office of the Arts, EC Infosystems, Finn Dixon &
Herling LLP, Fairfield County Bank, Fairfield County Community Foundation,
Festivities, Gault, Energy, Geiger's, GWAY Marketing Gymnasium, the Hall Art
Foundation, KD & J Botanica, Land Rover Milford, Landtech, Lillian August,
LLBH Private Wealth Management LLC, Madison/Mott, Main Street
Resources/Green Village Initiative, Meadow Ridge, Melissa & Doug, the
Mitchell’s Family of Stores, Moffly Media, Newman’s Own Foundation, Riverside
Management Group, Saugatuck Sweets, the Shack Sackler Foundation, the
Sheffer Family Foundation, Sontag Advisory LLC, Stamford Tent, Steel Shed,
Sun Hill Foundation, Thomas C. Hofstetter and Daniel Baron of The Saugatuck
Group, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth
Management, Westport Family Counseling, Westport Now, Westport Resources,
Westport Special Education PTA, William J. Rosenbloom Charitable Trust, Xerox
Foundation, WPKN, WSHU Public Radio Group, and Yellowtail.
For more information, contact the Westport Arts Center at (203) 2227070 or www.westportartscenter.org. The Westport Arts Center gallery is open
during the summer Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. – 2
p.m., and Saturdays 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT.
###