Terry Marks named Arts Alliance CEO

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance has named Terry Marks as the organization’s chief executive officer, replacing outgoing executive director (and founder) John Collins.

The New York native has a long history of fundraising in locations including Sarasota, New York and Los Angeles. She spent a decade teaching at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Southern California, and operated a successful Los Angeles consulting practice, serving organizations with budgets from $2 million to over $250 million. 

Prior to entering the nonprofit world, Marks worked on Wall Street with numerous Fortune 500 companies.

“Visual and performing art is such an intimate form of expression,” Marx said in a statement released with the announcement, “and one of the most powerful means to communicate. I am honored to accept the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer.

“John’s influence as Founder and Executive Director will always be a shining light for me. I am looking forward to serving the compelling and innovative arts culture within St. Petersburg.  My primary goal is to create a unifying alliance and grow our vibrant arts economy.

“Within the business sector, art has a significant role to play and a seat at the table to accelerate the overall growth of our city.  In addition, I want to expand and support artists and art education, as St. Petersburg continues to rise as a diverse destination for arts and culture.” 

Founded in 2012, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance is a 501(c)(3) that raises money for the city’s creative community, through individual and corporate gifts, event sponsorships, and grants that support community-wide arts efforts.