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Dr. Michael De Marsche Resigns

I’ve been so busy trying to set up for the Incubator Series tonight and shipping off art works from the last show that I totally missed the email from the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC) this afternoon. What follows comes directly fom the FAC:

COLORADO SPRINGS (Aug. 9, 2007) – The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center announces the resignation of its President and CEO, Dr. Michael De Marsche, effective September 1, 2007.

Dr. De Marsche has accepted a position as the new Executive Director of the Cafesjian Museum Foundation in Yerevan, Armenia. His letter of resignation is attached.

Carol Kleiner, Chair of Fine Arts Center Board of Trustees, and Sally Hybl, Vice Chair of FAC Board of Trustees, released this statement:

“We are grateful for the vision and charisma that Dr. Michael De Marsche brought to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center during his tenure. Michael De Marsche has made a career of building new and exciting museums and we certainly wish him the best in his new endeavors with the Gerard L. Cafesjian Museum Foundation.

“The FAC Board of Trustees is poised and ready to continue the momentum and enthusiasm that we have experienced in the transformation in this institution. The excitement, energy and support of our renovated and expanded facility puts us in a unique position to attract the highest caliber leader to lead us in the next chapter of this momentous journey.”

The Fine Arts Center will initiate a national search for a replacement immediately.

——–

I can’t say that I’m surprised. I just didn’t expect it one week after the “Extremely Grand Opening.” I was just talking with a friend yesterday and she was about to start taking bets for his departure. She didn’t even have time to start a pool.

We can just hope that someone will be able to step in and continue the momentum, making this just a hiccup and not a halt.

Dr. De Marsche’s resignment letter follows:

(Aug. 9, 2007)

I am announcing today my resignation as President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. This resignation will take effect on September 1, 2007.

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by Mr. Gerard L. Cafesjian, an extraordinary individual and philanthropist with an expansive vision. Construction is currently underway on a large arts complex in Yerevan, Armenia that will provide a home for Mr. Cafesjian’s outstanding collection of modern art, which includes superb collections of glass, painting and sculpture. In addition, the complex will be a prominent venue for international traveling exhibitions. The Gerard L. Cafesjian Museum of Art will also consolidate the site of a new cultural center for Yerevan – the Gerard L. Cafesjian Center for the Arts. As a major international cultural institution on a prominent site within the capital city, the development of the Cafesjian Center will symbolize a new period in the history of the Armenian Republic and is certain to become one of the great museums in Europe.

It is with the greatest pleasure that I announce my appointment as the new Executive Director of the Cafesjian Museum Foundation.

During the four years I have served at the Fine Arts Center, I have witnessed one of the fastest and most complete turnarounds in the history of the American museum. Many individuals are responsible for this, and I will thank them all during the coming weeks. I must, however, make mention of the superb staff now at the FAC. Each and every one of them is an immensely talented individual, possessing a high degree of professionalism. The astounding success of our recently completed Extremely Grand Opening is due to their hard work, perseverance and love of the Fine Arts Center. I and the entire community of Colorado Springs owe them all a great debt.

Sincerely,

Michael De Marsche, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

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