While John Shepard’s only been on the job as the new CEO at the Fine Arts Association for less than a week, he knows exactly what he’s been most impressed with at the Willoughby organization.

“It’s the longstanding history,” he said. “I’ve met several instructors since my first day and the one with the least amount of experience has 42 years teaching in the music program, only junior to a piano instructor who has over 50 years teaching here.

“That tells you the long history that this institution has in our community imparting the arts to all. It’s one destination, all people, every art. That’s one of the things we pride ourselves on.”

Last November, Fine Arts Association’s board of directors announced the hiring of Shepard, who filled the role previously held for 10 years by Linda Wise. She announced her retirement last August.

Shepard most recently served as superintendent of Painesville School District. He is only the fifth CEO in the 60-year history of Fine Arts Association, a fact not lost on him.

“It’s been an honor to take over the reins from Linda Wise,” he said. “My first week has just been a whirlwind of excitement. Coming from an educational background into another education-based institution has a level of comfort that makes me feel at home. The staff and the board both have been very welcoming, allowing me to acclimate slowly. We have so many great things happening here.

“Prior to coming to Lake County (from Central Ohio), I’ve never discovered an organization that has such a steep history,” Shepard added. “I feel the obligation for me is to fulfill that dream and that vision the Savages (founders Jim and Louise) had for teaching the arts to our community.”

Shepard’s career in education spans more than 30 years, and while expressing his desire to continue the vision of the founders, he’s also ready to take Fine Arts Association into the future while preserving its rich past.

The goal as the new CEO is to carry on that tradition and to grow and strengthen programs for all of our communities, Shepard said.

“We have expanded our services beyond the borders of Lake County and we’re excited to continue to provide programming for our students not only here at the facility, but also off-site.”

The school’s recent expansion will allow just that, with new dance studios and other multipurpose rooms set to serve in an expanded capacity. Having finished the capital building project, Fine Arts Association, under Shepard’s leadership, will seek to add course offerings and programming not currently available.

“We are always looking for fresh ideas,” Shepard said. “We are particularly challenged to come up with a new strategic plan in the next year. We have some plans coming up and we’ll be working with our board of directors to address those plans.”

Shepard said he’s also particularly proud of the school’s scholarship program and to be working with Fine Arts Association’s Women’s Committee to help provide scholarships.

“That’s what makes our organization different from other private institutes of the arts, whether it’s dance or music,” he said. “We are a nonprofit organization for everyone. We’re here to offer assistance.”

Shepard said he personally will do whatever it takes to get students that exposure to the arts.

“Our local school districts do an outstanding job providing arts education,” he added. “An institution such as ours is able to enrich what our school districts are able to do. However, schools can only do so much — and some have done away with the fine arts offerings in their schools, especially at the elementary level.

“My job as an educator is also to make the public and our stakeholders understand that the arts are an integral part of teaching and learning, it’s what makes a student a better-rounded individual.

“There’s a lot of data and research that attributes studies of the arts to increased math scores, proficiency in literacy and overall personal development,” he said. “It’s so important that all students have exposure to the arts. What better place than here?”

With renowned alumni TR Ericsson, Billy Miller, aka Billy The Artist, and Heidi Skok, Shepard also has learned of Fine Arts Association serving as the kickstart for not just this famed trio of artists, ranging from “zines” — specialized self-published magazines — to painting to opera, but also the numerous other artists who started at the institute.

“We are the hub of the arts in Northeast Ohio and I can say that with a lot of confidence because we are inclusive,” Shepard said. “And the students that have studied here have gone on to do great things, not only in the arts but in their areas of expertise. We’re able to give them that launch they may not have received without their experiences here.

“For parents wondering if there’s a return on investment for enhancing their children’s education in the arts, I’d point out that there is a direct correlation for direct impact on a student’s learning in the classroom because we do use an interdisciplinary approach,” he said. “All of our classes follow Ohio academic content standards. We have education specialists who deal in that curriculum behind the arts that we teach. That collaborative approach between our partners in education, whether they be parochial, private or public, is important.”

Though Shepard’s transition has been relatively seamless, it has provoked questions in his own mind. After 32 years in public education, the Painesville resident wasn’t sure what he was going to do for a “post-retirement” life, though he doesn’t consider himself retired.

“What’s the difference for me as a superintendent versus being a CEO? People come to Fine Arts because they want to come to Fine Arts, whereas K–12 education, it’s compulsory,” he said. “There are some folks who don’t want to be there. This has been a blessing, though. I’m excited because I am able to help through teaching and I have the opportunity and the expertise coming from the public sector. My goal is for the Fine Arts Association to be the No. 1 fine arts destination in Ohio.

“Our responsibility is daunting. It goes beyond artists. Our patrons are our biggest supporters. Their generosity, their love of the arts, has made all of this happen. Continuing the Savages’ legacy, and educating children and adults through the arts, to me, is priceless.”

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