Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County Appoints New CEO

April 26, 2023 – Sarasota

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, your source for arts and culture throughout the Cultural Coast, is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Hersh as its new Chief Executive Officer.

“The Alliance Board is excited to welcome Brian with his wonderful background of engaging youth in arts education, his deep community connections and national leadership experience,” said Julie Leach, Board Chair of the Alliance. “We are also extremely appreciative of Kelley Lavin for serving as our Interim Executive Director for the last few months while we did a national search for this role. She has done a wonderful job preparing us for the upcoming year and a future of excellence in promoting Sarasota as Florida’s Cultural Coast.”

Brian Hersh is joining the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County as its new CEO in June. Hersh has spent over 20 years in the field of nonprofit arts administration, including posts at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Asolo Repertory Theatre. In this new role, he will work to advance Sarasota County as a preeminent cultural community.

Hersh has been the Program Director for Any Given Child in Sarasota County Schools. In partnership with John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, he has led the district’s strategic approach to arts education. Hersh is an active member of Leadership Florida and a graduate of the Education Class 5. Hersh is also a graduate of the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute and has served on the Board of Directors for various nonprofit organizations.

He holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts from DePauw University where he studied percussion. In addition to all things arts and culture, Hersh loves following soccer and spending time with his family. He is thrilled and honored to be a part of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

About the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County is a member-powered organization that serves as an advocate for arts and culture in Sarasota County. Founded in 1986 by a group of committed citizens, the Alliance has administered more than $47 million in grants to area artists and arts organizations. The Alliance works to ensure arts and culture remain essential to the continuing development of a vibrant, creative community. This is achieved through arts advocacy, education, and community outreach.

Visit www.SarasotaArts.org and Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County on Facebook and Instagram.