Board, Faculty & Staff

Board of Directors

The Eastern Shore’s Own, Inc. was founded in 1984 by Allen Derrick, a retired actor from New York and Joyce Holland, a local theater performer. Originally the ESO was an adult theater troupe that expanded into instruction of the arts and became incorporated on August 1, 1986.The ESO began leasing the Belle Haven School building from the Town of Belle Haven on September 1, 1986.The ESO has been located in the facility since that time.

Sarah Barban
Traci Smith
Kathy Kellam
Roland Lusk

Our Staff

Ashley Aigner Antunes – Executive Director

Beverly Bagwell: Office Manager
Kim Bagwell – Bookkeeper

Supporting the Arts since 1986

WE ARE HIRING!! 

Eastern Shore’s Own Arts Center

Executive Director

Salary: $35,000

Schedule: Full-time

Eastern Shore’s Own Arts Center is seeking an Executive Director to lead day-to-day operations of its non-profit community arts center and school of dance. 

The Executive Director will foster the arts education and ESO’s future growth, ensure the financial stability and health of the organization, and build sustainability through the coordination and execution of successful fundraising efforts. 

The ideal candidate is a true servant to the non-profit arts community with a passion for the transformative power of the arts, a desire to broaden access to arts education on the Shore, and the belief that vibrant, thriving communities can’t exist without the arts. 

This position offers flexibility, a creative environment, a supportive network of staff, volunteers, and boardmembers, and the opportunity to build on the legacy of a beloved institution and to make a difference in the community. 

Administration

• Supervise office manager
• Book class instructors and manage contracts
• Draft class schedules
• Review student registrations and assist office manager with logistics
• Create promotional materials and social media posts
• Attend monthly board meetings and provide a monthly report

Finance

• Provide financial management and reporting for the organization
• Prepare an annual budget to be presented to the board of directors for approval
• Work with the treasurer to review financials
• Conduct an annual review with the treasurer and bookkeeper to ensure the financial health of the organization
• Process revenue transactions and receive and post tuition, revenue, and donation payments
• Prepare and make bank deposits weekly

Fund Development

• Work with the Fund Development Committee to create annual fundraising plan
• Determine the level of unrestricted donations ESO needs to bring in each fiscal year, ensure that goal is met
• Create sponsorship packets, donation packets, campaign marketing materials, and other fundraising literature
• Solicit sponsorships from businesses and donations from individuals and foundations to meet ESO’s financial needs, along with the board
• Seek out and write grants to support operational costs and capital projects at ESO and provide reporting for any grants awarded
• Build relationships in the community to promote the mission of ESO and drive sponsorships and investment in the organization 

Events

• Plan and coordinate summer camp
• Plan and coordinate fundraisers including Wigs and Whiskey (October) and ESO Fest (June 2026) with the help of the board of directors
• Coordinate volunteers, artists, and lobby operations for The Nutcracker and spring ballet
• Work with the board to select ESO Live artists and book and coordinate with artists

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Prior experience with creating and managing budgets
• Knowledge of non-profits and grants
• Knowledge of community arts organizations or the performing arts a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
• Demonstrated fundraising success
• Understanding of technology including Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, email marketing platforms, social media, WordPress, and the Google Suite
• Physical ability to lift at least 40 pounds and climb multi-story steps
• Ability to participate in ESO events including availability for weekdays, evenings, and some weekends
• Ability to work well under pressure, tackle challenges, work largely independently, meet deadlines, follow through, and be self-directed

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to esoartsboard@gmail.com