The Board of Directors of the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) has announced the appointment of Joan Phillips as Executive Director. Joan has been involved in all aspects of arts and cultural management in multiple non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia area.   

Joan’s selection as BAGI’s Executive Director comes after an extensive search to identify the best leader for the organization committed to expanding the organization’s impact by bringing glass art to more members of the community. “Joan has spent her career in the non-profit world, with a strong focus on community and arts education,” said Steven Aldrich, Chair, BAGI Board of Directors.  In selecting Joan Phillips, Aldrich said that board members felt that her experience in multiple aspects of arts administration and programming, her willingness to get hands-on with the community and her passion for the arts and teaching would continue BAGI’s growth.

For the past three months, Tom Upchurch has led BAGI, another example of his long-standing dedication to the organization. Tom has been a critical link to continue BAGI’s programming and allowed the Board to conduct a thorough search to identify its next leader. “The Board of Directors is deeply grateful to Tom for again stepping in as Executive Director. He has done an outstanding job, keeping BAGI moving forward and preparing for a busy fall,” said Steven Aldrich.

BAGI's executive director Mark Murai is returning to the private sector in mid-July. We appreciate the work he has done over the past two years as our leader and as a staff member since 2006.  Under Mark’s leadership, BAGI has grown its impact by expanding class offerings, adding programs for kids, bringing in thousands of new students of all ages, while continuing to be a resource for local artists to work and learn.  Tom Upchurch, Board member and previous Executive Director, will be BAGI's interim leader.  Click here to read the statement from the Board of directors, here for a personal note from Mark and here for the description of who we are looking for as the new Executive Director.