Karen Cole named interim director of UMaine’s Collins Center for the Arts

University of Maine alumna and longtime arts advocate Karen Cole has been named interim director of the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA), effective July 3. She succeeds Danny Williams, who is retiring after more than a decade of distinguished leadership.

Cole brings more than 30 years of experience in arts administration, marketing and community engagement to the role. Since 2014, she has served as associate director of the CCA, where she has been instrumental in guiding marketing, communications and fundraising initiatives for the university’s flagship performing arts venue.

“Karen’s deep connection to the university and the greater Bangor region, along with her proven leadership in the arts, makes her exceptionally well suited for this role,” said George Kinghorn, UMaine’s senior executive director of cultural engagement and arts initiatives. “We are confident the CCA will continue to thrive under her interim leadership.”

A 1984 graduate of UMaine with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Cole began her career in television and radio production at WABI. She went on to serve as marketing director for the Bangor Mall for 13 years, then returned to UMaine as business manager for the School of Performing Arts. After more than a decade in that role, she joined the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce as executive vice president and also served as interim executive director before returning to UMaine and the CCA.

Williams, the CCA’s departing executive director, led the CCA for more than 11 years. A UMaine graduate and longtime employee, his previous service to the university included alumni and donor engagement roles with the University of Maine Alumni Association and University of Maine Foundation. 

Located on the UMaine campus, the CCA is a cornerstone of the region’s cultural life, bringing world-class performances and educational experiences to campus and community audiences. Originally named the Maine Center for the Arts, it opened in 1986 and has attracted scores of nationally and internationally acclaimed performers, as well as acclaimed speakers, public figures and special events. It also serves as the home of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and a venue for numerous educational opportunities for individuals and organizations from Maine and beyond. 

In 2007, UMaine announced it was renaming the center in honor of alumni and philanthropists Richard and Anne Collins, both of whom were leaders in the fundraising efforts to support the center’s renovation.