PORTLAND, ORE.: Artists Repertory Theatre has named J.S. May as its new managing director. May will jointly lead the company with artistic director Dámaso Rodríguez, who has been serving as the interim managing director since December of 2017. He begins his new post immediately.
“I am thrilled that J.S. is bringing his vast experience as a leader, strategist, and fundraiser to Artists Rep,” said Rodríguez in a statement. “His passion for our mission is inspiring. I can’t wait to partner with him on all that’s ahead for Artists Rep at this exciting and transformational time for our company.”
May is a fundraising and communications professional who has worked with local, regional, national, and international nonprofit organizations. He served as the chief fundraising, marketing and communications officer, and strategist for the Portland Art Museum for 11 years. Previously he led the fundraising practice for the social marketing firm Metropolitan Group. He also served as executive director for the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation at OHSU, and as director of corporate support for Oregon Public Broadcasting. He has served multiple terms as president of the board for both the Portland Schools Foundation and the Portland Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. May currently serves as president of the Cycle Oregon board, and is a past board member for the Creative Advocacy Coalition. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon.
“Artists Rep is at an extraordinary moment in their history,” said May in a statement. “From the $7.1 million gift that allowed the organization to pay off the mortgage and provide financial stability to the potential sale of half the block, Artists Rep is poised to be more than just a theatre. With world-class artistic leadership from Dámaso Rodríguez and continued collaboration with ArtsHub partners, Artists Rep has the potential to foster more arts initiatives as a thriving arts center in Portland. All these elements enable Artists Rep to expand their mission of providing intimate, provocative theatre, and I am delighted to be joining this team.”
