The Patchogue Arts Council has hired its first-ever executive director.
Beth Giacummo, a longtime Arts Council volunteer, took on the role of executive director this month, giving her the ability to oversee operations of the non-profit organization.
“I am so pleased to have Beth on board as our executive director,” said Lori Devlin, president of Patchogue Arts Council. “She brings to the position a broad range of experience that will serve the organization well and guarantee its future success.”
Giacummo had been a volunteer since the group’s inception in 2008.
“[Giacummo] was at our first ever meeting,” recalled Devlin. “She spearheaded many great initiatives in Patchogue.”
One of her greatest successes, according to Devlin, was her Walking Art Tours idea back in 2009.
“During that time period in Patchogue there were many vacant stores on Main Street,” said Devlin. “[Giacummo] worked with business owners to put art-filled easels in the empty stores’ windows.”
This proved so popular that the Arts Council continued the tradition for the five years.
Since then, Giacummo continued to pursue her art career while volunteering at her leisure. She earned a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and a MFA in New Forms from the Pratt Institute, while working in higher education at schools such as LIU Post and Dowling College.
The Arts Council had decided to add an executive director, a full-time paid position, after experiencing growth and recognition as a promising nonprofit and, with that, expanded opportunities for grants to help fund the operation.
The move will only help in growing the organization further.
Photo of Beth Giacummo, Patchogue Art Council’s first executive director. (courtesy)
