Brookfield Craft Center Names Interim Director

(BCC) welcomed Barbara Prete as its new interim executive director Tuesday. Prete was selected by the Center's board of directors after a search conducted by the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, a nationally recognized capacity-building organization that will also guide BCC in its recruitment of a permanent executive director.

Prete is an arts development professional with many years of experience in arts administration, fundraising and finance. Over the past several years, as a skilled interim director she has provided help and leadership during critical times of change for five other nonprofit organizations. She has also served as an executive director, development director and fundraising consultant for a variety of arts organizations and been a grants officer for local and state funding agencies.

“Her experience in developing program strength, building relationships with the community and providing economic stability for many arts organizations made her our unanimous choice," William Markus, chairman of BCC’s board, stated.

"A painter myself and a longstanding member of the board of the Westbeth Artists Community in New York City, I am well versed in the administration, economics and issues involved in running a successful arts center," Prete explained. "It is a welcome challenge to work with Brookfield's dedicated non-profit board and staff to create and implement the strategy that sustains and grows this wonderful institution."

Regarded as a regional treasure, BCC is recognized as one of America's finest schools for creative study, dedicated to teaching traditional and contemporary craft skills, and fostering the appreciation of fine craftsmanship.

Located on 2.5 acres on the banks of the Still River, it contains six vintage buildings including a retail gallery in its historic Mill Building. The Center welcomes visitors and newcomers to its breadth of educational programs in the crafts.