Montgomery,
Ala. – At the June 7, 2018 quarterly meeting of the Alabama State Council on
the Arts in Montgomery, Al Head, Executive Director of the Council for the past
33 years announced his retirement, effective December 31st 2018. Head
summarized a long career with the state arts agency field by saying, “It has
been a wonderful and memorable run in a field that is made up of a special
group of artists, arts administrators, arts educators, arts patrons and
volunteers. The opportunity to contribute a bit to the quality of life in
Alabama through the arts has been a privilege.”
Head who
served in state arts agency positions in Florida and Louisiana before returning
home to Alabama as council director in 1985 is the longest sitting state arts
agency director in the country. Prior to accepting the position in Alabama,
Head was the Director of the Louisiana Division of the Arts and Arts Council
from 1977 to 1985. As the first state arts director under governmental
reorganization he orchestrated the first state appropriation for the Arts
Council in Louisiana. His state service began in 1972 with the Florida
Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and included a two year
period as director of the Stephen Foster Folk life Center. Including the
Florida and Louisiana years Head’s tenure in the arts field spans over
forty-six years, a four decade period that has experienced significant change
in the arts and government.
During Head’s
time in Alabama he considers, the development of a nationally recognized state
folklife program, the creation of the Alabama Writers Forum, the creation of
Design Alabama, the creation of the Alabama Dance Council, expanding arts
education partnerships and the cultivation of a cultural exchange with
Pietrasanta Italy as a few of many highlights. For personal recognition on a
national level he points to receiving the National Heritage Award in 2012 given
by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Gary Young Award presented to
him in 1998 by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies as particularly
rewarding.
As part of
his retirement announcement Head emphasized his respect and appreciation for
the outstanding work of a dedicated staff, most having been with the agency for
many years. He noted with sincere gratitude the contributions of dozens of
state council members, individuals appointed by the Governor, who give
generously of their time, talents and resources to promote the arts. Head
emphasized how fortunate and blessed he has been to be surrounded by such
special Alabamians.
The Council
will immediately begin a national search for a replacement of Al Head with the
intention of having a new director in place by January 1, 2019. Until that time
Head will remain active in the director’s position and available to oversee a
smooth transition. A job announcement with application details will be
distributed widely before the end of the month
The Alabama
State Council on the Arts is the official state arts agency of Alabama. The
staff of the Council, directed by Al Head, administers the grants programs and
provides financial assistance in arts planning and programming. The Council
receives its support through an annual appropriation from the Alabama
Legislature and funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal
agency.
For more
information, please contact Barbara Reed at 334-242-4076, ext. 223 or visit our
website: www.arts.alabama.gov.