Escondido Arts Center Executive Director Jerry Van Leeuwen To Step Down After 8 Years

By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego

February 1, 2022

Jerry Van Leeuwen, executive director of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, announced his retirement after eight years in an email to the center community Monday.

Van Leeuwen became executive director in 2013 and the center experienced growth in many areas throughout his tenure, most recently, the production of plays and programs, the email stated.

“Serving the center has been an extremely rewarding experience,” Van Leeuwen wrote.

“To step on stage and greet 1,500 people at a sold-out show is something I will always treasure and never forget,” he said. “To see students standing next to the artwork they have submitted in connection with a museum exhibition is so heartwarming.”

Van Leeuwen’s retirement will be effective when a replacement has been named. The center will be engaging in a national search which could take several months, according to the email.

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