The City of Salida announced Sept. 17 that Kathryn Wadsworth is the new manager of the city’s Arts and Culture Department. There were 28 applicants for the position.
Wadsworth has been in the community since 1987, and a city press release stated she has “a proven track record in public-private collaboration, cultural development and event programming.”
The release said she may be recognized by community members for her 10-year tenure at Monarch Mountain, where she founded and grew the resort’s event department. She has also performed with local ensembles, including Salida Brass, Alpine Orchestra and the Jazz Merchants.
In a Sept. 18 interview with The Mail, Wadsworth said she was attracted to the position because she’s “been engaged with the community for years and was ready to get back into municipal work and get back into growing partnerships and collaborations.
“Right off the bat, my goal here is to learn the systems and partnerships that are in place and grow them into the future and work closely with the well-established arts and culture organizations here in Salida,” Wadsworth said.
One of the things Wadsworth will be working on is “revisiting the purpose and importance of the SteamPlant as a community cornerstone.”
The release stated other initiatives Wadsworth will be leading are improving accessibility, signage and wayfinding of the campus for all members of the community; enhancing the quality of service and support for all events, performances and programming; and balancing the mission of the SteamPlant Event Center in providing opportunities for local theater and art programming with the need to maintain financial sustainability.
Wadsworth said she believes joining the Parks and Recreation and Arts and Culture departments together, as well as having a dedicated manager of the SteamPlant, “with a strong focus on arts and culture” is important for the community.