MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium has announced the appointment of Samantha Turner as its new Executive Director.
Turner brings to the Arts Consortium more than a decade of experience in event management, arts administration, education, and nonprofit operations.
Most recently, she served as Assistant Director in Kenyon College’s Office of Campus Events, where she directed the planning and execution of large-scale institutional ceremonies and high-profile campus events, and managed complex event logistics and departmental budgets, while collaborating with campus and community stakeholders.
Founded in 2020, the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium, a supporting organization of the Knox County Foundation, is dedicated to amplifying arts and entertainment in Mount Vernon in an effort to strengthen the economy, cultivate meaningful relationships, and provide opportunities for residents and guests to enjoy historic venues through unique cultural experiences.
“Samantha’s leadership experience, organizational strengths, and commitment to community collaboration make her an excellent fit for this role,” said Jason Booth, president of the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium Board. “She understands the importance of strong partnerships and brings a thoughtful approach to supporting the arts in our community.”
Turner’s professional background also includes leadership roles in strategic management, theatrical production, and community programming.
Throughout her career, she has served as a program coordinator, educator, director, and event planner in both nonprofit and educational settings, building extensive experience in organizational leadership, live event production, and audience engagement.
“I am honored to have been chosen to lead the Arts Consortium,” Turner said. “Mount Vernon has an incredibly strong arts community, and I look forward to working alongside our partners, artists, volunteers, and supporters to continue creating meaningful experiences throughout my hometown’s amazing artistic spaces and places.”
In her new role as Executive Director, Turner will lead Consortium operations, strategic partnerships, venue stewardship, development, and collaborative programming efforts while supporting coordinated arts and entertainment initiatives across key Mount Vernon cultural venues.
Turner holds a Master of Science in Management from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Kenyon College.
She will begin her new role with the Arts Consortium on June 15.
Learn more about the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium at www.mvac.org or follow MVAC on Facebook and Instagram.
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