ROCKLAND — The Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) has appointed Martha Jones, a seasoned non-profit leader and South Thomaston resident, as its new chair of the Board of Trustees.
 
Martha “Marty” Jones brings to the position more than 40 years experience as a leader in cultural and non-profit management. In 1982, Jones was one of the founders of the Tony award-winning Huntington Theatre Company. From 1996 to 2011, she served as both general manager and president of the Celebrity Series of Boston. As a professional consultant, Jones specializes in strategic planning, fundraising counsel, organizational assessment, executive coaching, and board governance.
 
“Marty brings an array of leadership skills and tools to the role of Board Chair,” said Suzette McAvoy, CMCA’s executive director, in a news release. “Since joining the Board in 2014, Marty has been a devoted supporter and instrumental in strengthening Board governance. I welcome the opportunity to work with her and the other trustees as we enter the next exciting phase of CMCA’s future.”
 
Jones previously served as vice chair of the Board. She succeeds Karen Brace, a former businesswoman and Camden resident, as Board Chair. Brace finishes her term after leading CMCA through an exceptional period of strategic planning and financial growth, according to CMCA.
 
“Marty Jones is the right person to build upon the momentum of success the CMCA team has worked to achieve,” said Brace, in the release. “I am so grateful to the Board, Suzette, and the staff for their ongoing commitment and support during my tenure as Chair, and I look forward to continuing in new roles on the Board.”
 
Jones takes on the position eager to help write the next chapter of CMCA’s history. With the organization entering its fourth year in its facility in downtown Rockland, Jones is impressed by the widening recognition of CMCA through the quality of its exhibitions and educational programming.
 
"It is, indeed, an honor and privilege to be named Board Chair of CMCA,” said Jones. “Having worked closely with Karen Brace, the entire board, staff and volunteers over the past five years, I am excited to lend my expertise in board development and operations as we continue to build upon CMCA’s tremendous growth and acclaim achieved under Karen’s leadership and that of Executive Director, Suzette McAvoy.”
 
Looking forward, Jones is excited to help CMCA expand its ability to service its mission on a statewide level.

“We have before us a wealth of opportunities for expanding our mission of advancing contemporary art in Maine and extending our reach into the community, and my goal is to build upon current resources to make this happen,” she said.