The ArtsCenter in Carrboro has a new executive director.
Art Menius will be the new executive director for the non-profit that produces shows, offers theatre and art classes and hosts performances.
Menius is a Raleigh native and helped found the International Bluegrass Music Association and was its first executive director. He is also a former president of the Folk Alliance and also served as president of the Old-Time Music Group, based in Durham.
Menius succeeds Jay Miller, who served as the ArtsCenter's interim director for six months after the organization cut the position of executive director held by Ed Camp last year.
The organization had lost money for several years, and has worked to get its membership numbers up.
According to tax returns, in 2009-10, the last year for which returns are available, The ArtsCenter lost $265,000, increasing its overall debt to $560,000.
To help it continue operations, according to the 2009-10 tax return, the organization took out a $315,000 loan against its building at 300-G E. Main St.
Since then, as interim executive director, Miller says he negotiated down the group's debt and helped get a $100,000 grant from the Nicholson Foundation, a New Jersey-based organization, to help pay it off.
Menius will start on April 10.
Katelyn Ferral covers Orange County for The News & Observer and The Chapel Hill News.