Newark Arts announced today that Jeremy Johnson will step down from his position as Executive Director on May 31, after a five-year tenure in the leadership role. Following a competitive, national search, Johnson has been selected as the inaugural President and CEO of a regional organization out of state, that will advocate for artists, shape transformational policies, and prioritize racial equity in the movement to lift communities through the power of arts and culture. The new organization will be announced later this year.
“While it has been a difficult decision to leave my twenty-year home of Newark, I am excited to share the powerful lessons I’ve learned with other parts of the country. I owe so much to Newark’s leaders, artists, and residents, particularly Mayor Ras Baraka and the Board members and staff of Newark Arts,” said Johnson.
The Newark Times first interviewed Jeremy Johnson when he was first appointed Executive Director.
For two decades, Johnson has served Newark in multiple roles as a nonprofit leader, philanthropic liaison, and arts advocate.
“Newark Arts is immensely grateful to Jeremy for his steadfast leadership, his outstanding performance growing the organization, and his unwavering support of the arts community,” said Marcy DePina, President of the Board of Newark Arts. “Under his tutelage Newark Arts evolved and expanded core programs, placed funding directly into the hands of local artists and initiatives, built strong partnerships with stakeholders, and diversified its board. As Newark Arts celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Director Johnson leaves the organization poised for continued success.”
Johnson led Newark Arts’ creation of a citywide cultural plan, Newark Creates, supported by Prudential and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. The plan’s recommendations were instrumental in Mayor Ras Baraka’s award of more than $1.6M in COVID-relief for artists since the start of the pandemic. Johnson re-branded and expanded the award-winning Newark Arts Festival and grew the ArtStart grant program. He raised the national profile of Newark, now ranked among America’s top ten arts vibrant communities by the National Center for Arts Research.
