Dallas, TX (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — AT&T Performing Arts Center announced that it has accepted the resignation of President and CEO Mark Nerenhausen, effective immediately.
Doug Curtis, the AT&T PAC’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, has been named interim CEO. A national search is underway for Nerenhausen’s successor.
“The AT&T Performing Arts Center has gone through incredible growth and change over the past two years, and Mark provided invaluable leadership for us at a critical time,” said Howard Hallam, Chair of the AT&T Performing Arts Center Board of Directors.
The AT&T Performing Arts Center opened in October 2009 after a $354 million decade-long campaign. Since it opened, the Center has played a vital role in the community through its diverse programming, educational activities and as a catalyst for further development in the downtown Dallas Arts District.
Nerenhausen had only been with the Dallas Performing Arts Center for eight months after helping to open the $354 million center. The reasons for his departure were not immediately made clear, but Hallam told the North Texas arts journal Art Seek that he believed Nerenhausen expecations were not being met. According to Hallam, the PAC has not quite achieved it's fundraising goals and expects to operate at a deficit for its first few years. Additionally, the PAC may face further financial challenges in the form of cuts in the financial suport it recieves from the City of Dallas.
"When Mark came here, we were just finishing the most successful capital campaign in the history of this industry. But by the time he got here, we realized that our capital campaign was not complete. We still needed to raise additional funds." Hallam told Art Seek.
"So we saw a deficit coming and in fact budgeted for a deficit not only this first year but next year. So even though it’s been a tough year, the tough year was not a surprise to anyone. But of course laboring under these kinds of difficult conditions would, I’m sure, discourage anybody." Hallam added. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
