A three-member executive team will oversee daily operations for Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts following Tuesday night’s resignation of Charlie Humphrey, who ran the merged organization for nine years after it was formed in 2006.
The team is made up of John Cantine, director of education, Laura Domencic, director of Pittsburgh for the Arts, and Jasdeep Khaira, director of artist services.
“Those are the three main legs of the operation,” said Doug Gouge, president of the nonprofit’s 22-member board of directors.
Mr. Humphrey is leaving six months after he laid off nearly a third of his staff because of a $1 million deficit. Last Friday, the nonprofit’s board placed him on indefinite leave with pay after a majority of employees told board members they had no confidence in his leadership.
With a $5.6 million annual budget, the nonprofit offers filmmaking and photography courses, operates three movie theaters, stages an annual film festival and showcases local artists’ work. Each summer, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts offers arts and crafts classes.
Mr. Humphrey, 57, ends a 23-year run with the organization, first with Pittsburgh Filmmakers and then later with the combined nonprofit. He said during a brief telephone interview that he does not know what he will do next.
On Wednesday, local arts and foundation leaders praised his commitment to the Pittsburgh arts community.
“Charlie Humphrey has devoted exceptional service for many years to Pittsburgh’s cultural community,” said Grant Oliphant, president of the Heinz Endowments. “Whatever the circumstances of recent events that led to his decision to resign, he has been a passionate and eloquent advocate for the arts and cultural policy, a bold leader and a generous friend.”
Karla Boos, executive director of Quantum Theatre, said Mr. Humphrey was the founding board member of her organization, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2015-16 season. “I have been privileged to have his good thinking in my small organization,” she said.
Tom Sokolowski, former director of The Andy Warhol Museum, said he could not imagine the arts in Pittsburgh without Mr. Humphrey.
“He has always been its anchor and, at times, its captain. During his time as a board member of Quantum Theater, the New Hazlett Theater and, yes, at Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, he crafted and shored up institutions that although artistically visionary were lacking in terms of administrative skills. During his long term on the board of The Andy Warhol Museum ... he was truly the only member who completely understood what The Warhol could become, even in its earliest days.”
The fortunes of Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts began to plummet in 2012 when Point Park University stopped sending its film production students to Filmmakers after the Downtown school created its on program.
In an attempt to turn around finances, the nonprofit last summer hired Pete Mendes to analyze the organization’s books. Mr. Mendes suggested the organization hire a chief financial officer.
Mr. Mendes is currently “functioning as a chief financial officer,” Mr. Gouge said. “He hasn’t given us a final report.”
“I wish I’d called him in sooner. He was a godsend,” Mr. Humphrey said. “Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help.”
Marylynne Pitz: 412-263-1648 or mpitz@post-gazette.com.
First Published: December 9, 2015, 4:43 p.m.
Updated: December 10, 2015, 4:17 a.m.
