Chesapeake Arts Center Hires New Executive Director

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Chesapeake Arts Center welcomes a new executive director who will take the helm Feb. 18. Donna L. Anderson, succeeds Belinda Fraley Huesman who will step aside to transition to other entrepreneurial ventures and will serve as the center's part-time strategic initiatives adviser through June 2020.

Anderson brings more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management, most recently from a 15-year tenure at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts where she served as vice president of marketing and development. After leaving Maryland Hall in Fall 2018, she opened Anderson Creative Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm providing fundraising planning, grant writing and marketing services to area non-profit organizations. She has served as a consultant to CAC under the organization’s Bloomberg Philanthropies grant since February 2019.

As CAC’s executive director, Anderson will manage the day-to-day operations including oversight of a 14-person staff who deliver varied performing, visual arts and education programs to North County residents and other audiences. At Maryland Hall, Anderson was responsible for generating more than $1 million in revenue and oversaw the development, marketing, box office, volunteer and special event functions. In addition to managing the rebranding of Maryland Hall through a new logo and tag line, she directed the organization’s website redesign and transition to a new customer management software. Prior to Maryland Hall, she held management positions in Washington, D.C., at Goodwill Industries, the National Building Museum and American University.

“I’m honored to be chosen as CAC’s next leader and to build on the great accomplishments Belinda, the board, and staff have achieved during the past few years,” said Anderson in a statement. “I look forward to helping to further grow CAC’s brand and programs in our region and to connecting new audiences to the great creative programs CAC offers our community.”