Piedmont Arts Executive Director Announces Resignation

Rogers named executive director 

of Mental Health America 

of Central Carolinas

Piedmont Arts announces the resignation of its Executive Director, Kathy Rogers, effective October 26, 2017. Rogers, who has been the museum’s director since June 2010, has been named the new executive director for Mental Health America of Central Carolinas in Charlotte, NC.

“This is bittersweet for me, but this is a wonderful opportunity and I’m excited to be working in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community to address mental health issues and needs, including advocacy work and community outreach,” said Rogers. “My entire career has been spent here in Martinsville-Henry County and it was a difficult decision to leave the community. Piedmont Arts has been a wonderful organization to work for and it is truly a jewel in the middle of Martinsville-Henry County. I hope everyone will continue to support the museum.”

According to Board President Joyce Staples, “Throughout her seven plus years at Piedmont Arts, Kathy has continued to promote the museum’s visibility in Martinsville-Henry County and beyond through its mission to inspire and engage the community through the arts. As a visionary leader, she has worked to explore various cultures in the community, including Celebracion de las Artes, a focus on Hispanic and Latino culture, and other cultural events and programs. Most recently, under Kathy’s guidance, the R.P. Gravely-A.J. Lester Art Garden has been created through a partnership with the City of Martinsville, and she has helped implement a pilot program to explore and expand preschool arts opportunities through the ARTStart Initiative in collaboration with Smart Beginnings Martinsville-Henry.”

Staples continued, “The Piedmont Arts Board of Directors will miss Kathy’s leadership and passion for the arts and education, but we wish her the best in her new role.” She stated that the museum’s Board of Directors will meet in the coming days to discuss next steps as it looks for a new director.

Rogers joined Piedmont Arts in 2010 after spending 12 years as the director of United Way of Henry County-Martinsville, where she was instrumental in working with the community to create the early childhood initiative Smart Beginnings, the Nonprofit Leaders Network, and the HOPE (Helping Others Progress Economically) Initiative. During her tenure, she was also a key player in providing seed funding to create the Grace Network, a faith-based crisis center. Prior to her work at United Way, Rogers was Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations for Tultex Corporation. She also served eight years as the Collinsville representative on the Henry County School Board.