Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Nierman.
Hi Carla, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I graduated with a degree in Nutrition from Michigan State University. I soon discovered that the degree was a personal rather than a professional quest. I owned several businesses before starting at the ArtCenter in a ground-level position with no professional arts organization experience.
After several promotions, I was promoted to Executive Director in 2012. I believe having a mother who was an artist gave me much insight into the world of art and being an entrepreneur taught me many lessons about being a savvy businesswoman. This combination has served us well.
Today, we are in a capital campaign for a new building. We broke ground in November with an anticipated completion date of 12/2024. It is an exciting time for the ArtCenter! Once we open our new building we will move into the new building and take down the old building. This space where the old building is will because a green space and sculpture garden.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have always loved the ArtCenter. It is an exciting, ever-changing environment filled with creatives who are here because they want to be. While life is rarely a continuous”smooth road” the people always made each day fun and challenging in a positive way. It is essential to be flexible and to pay attention.
If you listen closely enough you will learn what is really important in your interactions. Probably the most difficult time was the pandemic. As everyone had to deal with the trials that came with that time we also just started a capital campaign for a new building just before the thick of it. No one wanted to talk to us. No one wanted to come out for a tour. It forced us to use creative ways to reach donors which worked out well in the end.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
ArtCenter Manatee has been in downtown Bradenton since 1937. We have endured wars, a depression, recessions, building additions, and a pandemic. Through it all we have always sought to spotlight the visual arts in our community but promoting artists, offering art to collectors, and teaching budding artists of all ages and experience levels.
Today we change our exhibits monthly which include local, regional, national, and international shows. These shows include prestigious art from organizations such as the National Oil Painters of America, Internationa Scratchboard Society, and American & International Watercolor Societies. We also applaud and exhibit art from our local and regional artists.
Our region harbors great artistic talent. We have over 350 classes in painting, drawing, mixed media, clay, silversmithing, fused glass, printmaking, and sculpture. We also have a robust children’s program that is bursting at the seams. We also have an artisan market with all handcrafted items from local and regional artists. This offers artists a way to sell their creations and our community a way to support local vendors.
We are told weekly that it feels different here… that it feels good to be here. As a leader of this organization, I like to focus on the idea that everyone who comes is our guest. And how do we like to be treated when we are a guest?
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Absolutely! I would say one important reminder is to work on creative solutions to your challenges. Also, be flexible… things can change quickly so you must be ready/willing to pivot.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artcentermanatee.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/artcenter_manatee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artcentermanatee
- Twitter: twitter.com/artcmanatee/
- Youtube: @artcentermanatee2758
