EASTHAMPTON — Burns Maxey is leaving the position of city arts coordinator after nearly five years. The job was posted to the city’s website Monday.
City personnel director Jane Sakiewicz confirmed that Maxey gave notice last week and that her last day will be April 28. Sakiewicz said the city is accepting applications through April 22, when staffers will begin sifting through applicants.
“It’s a very exciting position,” said Mayor Karen Cadieux of the job Maxey has held since Aug. 2011, which focuses on supporting city artists and stimulating economic development through cultural activities. “I think we’ll have a lot of interest.”
Maxey said she has accepted a job with New England Public Radio. While she reflects fondly on her time as city arts coordinator, it was time for her to move on, she said.
“I was looking for my next step in my career and this opportunity presented itself,” said Maxey.
Maxey said she joined Easthampton City Arts+ at an exciting in both the city and in the municipal committee’s history.
“When I came into the position there was a number of people in the city who were already invested in the idea of supporting artists in our city, fostering the arts community and seeing our community thrive,” said Maxey. “So that was really helpful in allowing me to further the organization.”
Maxey said she’s most proud of working with the ECA’s all-volunteer subcommittees to artistically “activate” Easthampton’s different neighborhoods, which she said happened by working with local artists to fund their ideas and bring them into fruition.
“That has helped revitalize those areas,” she said.
Maxey said the 35-hour job has been a labor of love.
“I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” she said. “I feel very passionately about this job and it goes beyond the day-to-day.”
Cadieux spoke highly of Maxey’s work for the city.
“She’s done a great job for us and her new employer is very lucky to have her,” said Cadieux. “We wish her all the best.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.