Interview with The Collaborative's New Executive Director, Sally Turner!
Meet Sally Turner, The Collaborative's new Executive Director who brings her 25 years of nonprofit leadership to the organization!
In an interview with us, Sally talks about her Warren roots, pursuing a career in supporting community arts, and what she's looking forward to most for The Collaborative in 2024.
When did you first learn about and become involved with The Collaborative?
In 2019 one of my friends who was an Artist Collaborator brought me to an opening. As soon as I walked through the door, I could feel the welcoming community vibe. There was also a grit to it and a palpable sense of the people who created it. And it was clear that they made it to be shared with anyone who cared to walk through the door.
Uriah was there and we got to talking. That’s how I found out that they were looking for Board members. I threw my hat in the ring, and the rest is history.
How did your path in non-profit leadership and development lead to The Collaborative?
I’ve worked in the non-profit field for more than twenty-five years. While I’ve worn many different hats, I’ve also had the experience of being a co-founder of a grass-roots non-profit. This is why The Collaborative appealed to me. I enjoy working with the small organizations that are doing big things, have big dreams, and are working damn hard to bring value to their community.
When Uriah chose to step-down from his role as Executive Director, I took this as an opportunity to put my leadership, administrative, and development skills to work for both this organization and the Town that I truly love.
Prior to your role as Executive Director at The Collaborative, you worked at The Steel Yard for eight years. Wow! Did you always know that you wanted a career that supported the arts and/or was there a pivotal moment in your life that made you want to work in the non-profit arts sector?
I attended a special high school for the arts, and went on to study art in college. However, I discovered that I did not want art to be my vocation and changed my major to communications and writing. That said, art has always been a central part of my life.
I have many interests and began my non-profit career in the environmental field – helping to establish one of the first Groundwork Trusts in the United States. I served as Executive Director, and then as a board member. I stepped down from that board after more than fifteen years of involvement when I joined the board of The Collaborative.
I can’t really say that there was a pivotal moment that made me want to work specifically in the non-profit arts sector. What I can say is that I have been fortunate to be able to pursue my passions during both my career and community service – with art being at the top of my list!
Once upon a time, you owned a media company here in Warren! Can you tell us about your Warren roots and what this community means to you?
I lived in Warren for many years back in the day – and can’t begin to tell you how important it is for me to be living my best years here again. My grandmother’s family (on my mother’s side) is from Warren, so it has always been home to me.
Even before I moved back here, I committed my community service to the Town. Not only was I a board member of The Collaborative, I am also the Secretary for the Warren Arts and Cultural Commission, and volunteer for the Warren Holiday Festival.
During the first leg of my career, I worked in media and publishing and had a job with an advertising agency here in town. When that business closed, I moved on to partner with a former colleague and we established our own agency. It was great fun, but somehow wasn’t fulfilling my need to work in a career that made an impact on people’s lives and community. That’s when I transitioned into non-profit work.
As a funny aside – my media agency was also involved in the early days of the Warren Holiday Festival - back when residents on Water Street worked together to help hang the lights and plug them into their own homes! It was so much fun – and still is!
To date, what is your favorite memory at The Collaborative?
I hosted my 60th birthday party at The Collaborative when we were on Main Street. It was amazing to have friends and family from near and far come to share my joy for The Collaborative. The space was packed, and people spilled out onto the sidewalk!
What are you looking forward to most for The Collaborative in 2024?
We’ll be opening a new space for programming back on Main Street in the Spring! While the gallery will remain at 4 Market Street, the new space will allow for more classes and creative experimentation. There will be opportunities for music, film, poetry slams and more. We’re looking to make a sort of creative laboratory that can host and incubate a multitude of forms. Stay tuned!
