Eric Holowacz, the president of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, has resigned after less than two years at the group. In a statement provided today to Daily Report by the Arts Council, board chairman Brian Haymon says, “Eric brought great creativity, energy and passion to the Arts Council. We thank him for his service and wish him the best.”
An interim leader has not yet been named, but the board is taking steps to ensure the work of the Arts Council continues to run smoothly, the statement says. It is unclear what led up to Holowacz’s decision. Reached by phone earlier today, Holowacz declined to comment.
Holowacz came to Baton Rouge from Victoria, Australia, where he served as arts and cultural manager for the city of more than 5 million residents. His prior stints included executive director of an arts council and performing arts center in his native South Carolina, arts programs and services manager for the Wellington City Council in New Zealand’s capital, founding executive director of The Studios of Key West, and producer and director of the Cairns Festival in North Queensland, Australia.
Holowacz had big shoes to fill when he came here, succeeding Derek Gordon, who returned in 2006 to his native Baton Rouge after leading Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Gordon led the organization through several years of growth and development until his death in 2013.
Haymon’s statement says the board is making plans to search for a new president and CEO.
—Stephanie Riegel
