The Smith Center for the Arts announced on Friday that Executive Director Susie Monagan will step down from her position effective June 30, ending a nine-year tenure that saw significant financial and programming growth for the organization.
Monagan has led the downtown Geneva arts organization since 2017, overseeing expanded community engagement, increased fundraising, and major capital investments.
“The Smith has grown tremendously under Susie’s leadership,” Smith Board Co-chair Becky Burditt said in a statement. “We are grateful for her stewardship of our organization over the past nine years, and have truly enjoyed working with her. She has contributed a great deal to our community. We will certainly miss her and wish her all the best in her new role.”
According to the organization, The Smith’s annual budget increased by 130% during Monagan’s tenure, reaching $1.2 million in 2024. Contributed income through memberships, fundraising campaigns, sponsorships, and special events grew by 180% to more than $608,000. The organization also reported a 75% increase in endowment contributions and a 310% improvement in overall endowment performance since 2018.
The Smith said Monagan also secured and managed more than $1.5 million in state and foundation funding for capital improvement projects aimed at strengthening the organization’s long-term operations and facilities.
During her leadership, staffing expanded to five full-time and five part-time employees, while programming diversity and audience reach also grew. Earned revenue from live performances and film programming increased by 90% to $614,000 in 2024, according to the organization.
“I am so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together here at The Smith,” Monagan said. “It has been a group effort since Day One, and I have been privileged to be a part of it. We have a great team in place who will bring the organization forward into its next phase of relevance.”
She added that she leaves “with joy in my heart toward everyone I have worked with to preserve and animate Downtown Geneva’s cultural anchor, the Smith Opera House.”
The Smith Center for the Arts Board of Directors said additional information regarding next steps and leadership plans will be announced in a future release.
