Nevada County Arts Council Announces Executive Director Transition and Launches Statewide Search

Nevada County, CA — April 23, 2026 — Nevada County Arts Council today announced that Executive Director Eliza Tudor will conclude her tenure later this year after ten years of leadership and organizational development. The Board of Directors has launched a statewide search for the organization’s next Executive Director (CEO).

During her tenure, Tudor helped expand the Arts Council’s role as Nevada County’s designated arts agency, strengthening partnerships across local government, education, and regional cultural organizations while positioning the organization within California’s statewide arts infrastructure. She led development of Culture Forward 2026–2032, Nevada County’s first countywide Arts & Culture Action Plan, and supported advancement of both the Grass Valley–Nevada City and Truckee California Cultural Districts.

“Eliza’s leadership over the past decade has shaped Nevada County Arts Council into the organization it is today—an active countywide arts service agency with strong regional partnerships and a clear strategic direction for the future,” said Board President Jesse Locks.

“Eliza has played a central role in strengthening relationships with local government, advancing two California Cultural Districts, expanding services for artists, and guiding development of Culture Forward, Nevada County’s first countywide Arts & Culture Action Plan. Through her service on the boards of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates, she also helped strengthen connections between local cultural work and statewide policy leadership, expanding visibility and opportunity for rural communities across the Sierra region. While we will greatly miss her depth of experience, vision, and commitment to this community, we are deeply grateful for the foundation she leaves in place as we begin the search for our next Executive Director.”

Under Tudor’s direction, the organization expanded professional development opportunities for artists, strengthened arts education partnerships across local schools, coordinated regional grantmaking initiatives including the Upstate Creative Corps, and launched programs such as the Sierra Poetry Festival, the Business of Art, Art in Public Spaces, and MUSE, a signature regional publication strengthening visibility for artists and cultural institutions while helping articulate a shared cultural identity across Nevada County and the Sierra region.

“I’m proud to be preparing to leave Nevada County Arts & Culture at a moment when the organization is strong, with aclear roadmap ahead and an exceptional team in place,” said Tudor. “After ten deeply rewarding years, this transition reflects a personal decision shaped by family considerations and an upcoming move to the United Kingdom. It has been a privilege to work alongside artists, partners, staff, and board members across the county, and I look forward to supporting the organization’s next chapter as it moves into implementation of Culture Forward.”

The Board of Directors has initiated a statewide search for the organization’s next Executive Director. The position will lead implementation of Culture Forward 2026–2032 and continue strengthening partnerships across Nevada County’s cultural, civic, and regional networks.

A full position description and application instructions is available at nevadacountyarts.org/jobs-in-the-arts. The Arts Council will recognize Tudor’s contributions at a future community event to be announced.

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By resolution of Nevada County Board of supervisors, Nevada County Arts & Culture is State-Local Partner with California Arts Council, and part of a coalition of County Arts Agencies serving diverse populations in every county across California. A 501c3 not-for-profit organization, Nevada County Arts & Culture facilitates collaborative efforts that promote and sustain the visual, literary and performing arts of Nevada County to advance the cultural, social and economic life of all community members. Learn more at https://www.nevadacountyarts.org.