Merced Multicultural Arts Center hires new director

After a year without a paid top employee, the Merced Multicultural Arts Center has a new executive director, the Merced County Arts Council announced Wednesday.

Colton Dennis, 42, started in the new role for the council on April 18. This is the 20th year the center has been managed by the council. President Kathy Hansen said the council believes Dennis’ experience in the arts will set the stage for a new chapter for the council, which has been incorporated since 1978.

“He brings a lot of energy and good will because he’s been involved in the downtown arts scene for several years,” she said.

Dennis has been involved with theater his whole life, both on stage and off. He co-founded and managed Patterson Repertory Theatre in Patterson for 10 years before moving to Merced in 2013, according to the council.

He has been involved with Merced ShakespeareFest, Playhouse Merced and the council’s Enrichment Center as an actor, director, teacher and manager.

“I am honored and beyond thrilled to be the director of this beautiful building and a steward for the arts here in Merced,” Dennis said in a news release. “I truly believe (the arts council) has set in place a new strategy that will ensure the longevity of this organization.”

Dennis said he aims to make the center a “thriving and vibrant destination for our community, while creating a place of artistic discovery and dialogue by reaching out to the community and collaborating with local organizations of similar goals.”

The council recently finished a year of reorganization after the layoff of three employees in March 2015, Hansen said. During that time, the remaining staff and the board of directors have improved the financial situation of the council, she said, and developed a plan to keep it sustainable.

Before moving to Merced, Dennis was a member of the Patterson Youth Development Committee and a commissioner for Patterson Parks and Recreation. He led the city’s Centennial mural project and developed youth activities including an art wall and a youth column in the local newspaper, according to the council.

He was secretary of the board for the Stanislaus Arts Council for several years and received their “Excellence in Arts” Award for theater in 2008. He trained as an actor, pianist and storyteller in programs in Los Angeles, Stanislaus and Merced counties.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Merced Multicultural Arts Center hires new director."