Hannah Hanford Joins VCCA Staff


After an extensive, nationwide search for a seasoned development officer to lead the VCCA’s fundraising efforts, we are pleased to welcome Hannah Hanford to Mt. San Angelo. She arrived today in her powder blue VW bug convertible, ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work.

“It was time for a new challenge, for a new direction,” says Hannah, who comes to the VCCA following a 25-year career in health care, including 11 years as the head of the Foundation of CVPH Medical Center in upstate New York. “I am absolutely thrilled to come to this magical, place, to join this extraordinary team. The chance to work on behalf of the world’s best artists, to help sustain the arts. . .it’s a tremendous opportunity and privilege.”

Hannah is very involved in community volunteerism and is an active Rotarian and past Paul Harris Fellow. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Cornell University in 1979.

In her spare time she enjoys being in the wilderness hiking or snowshoeing, gardening, collecting antiques and great artwork of all types and cooking for friends. Hannah’s two sons are both in college, one in New York and one in Colorado. She is settling in to her new home in Amherst with her large, hairy dog and talkative cat. Already, she says, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the sprawling lawns of Mt. San Angelo, and even the resident cows have taken hold of her. “It’s easy to see why our Fellows love the VCCA,” she says. “I look forward to working with them and supporting the organization’s critical mission.”

Photo: VCCA Director of Development Hannah Hanford and four-year old Sage

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blogger: C.M. Mayo

Image
From Fellow C.M. Mayo : In the years of writing, researching, and revising my novel, T he Last Prince of the Mexican Empire (Unbridled Books, May 5, 2009), I enjoyed several  intensely productive stays at VCCA. A few sparkles:   In the corn crib studio: Drafting General Achille Bazaine's flashback scenes of 1850s Algeria, Arab music on the CD player, snow falling on the skylight. At dinner: Chatting with novelist Josephine Humphreys about archives and the influence of the dead. By the fireplace in the living room : Reading these same pages with Peter Behrens ,  reading from his novel then in-progress, The Law of Dream s. Eating potato chips with poets Sandra Beasley and Alfred Corn . Trying not to be embarrassed when Alfred (bless him) corrected my French pronunciation.   In Sweet Briar's Library : After checking e-mail, reading Virgil. Rectangles of autumn light falling on the old tables.   One sunny afternoon outside my studio by the barn:  Finding Peter Behrens,
Read more

VCCA and Sweet Briar College Enter Long-Range Planning Process

Image
After decades of informal discussions, VCCA and Sweet Briar College have decided to study the various possibilities of a permanent home for VCCA. VCCA has been leasing Mt. San Angelo from Sweet Briar since 1977. Both institutions have agreed to actively pursue a long-term solution to the current annual lease renewals. The timing is mutually beneficial in that VCCA is embarking on a new Strategic Plan, while Sweet Briar is implementing its Plan for Sustainable Excellence. The opportunities to explore include, but are not limited to, the following options: VCCA purchases the Mt. San Angelo property and remains there VCCA and SBC enter into a lease-to-purchase agreement for the Mt. San Angelo property and VCCA remains there VCCA moves to the Sweet Briar College campus VCCA moves to another non-SBC location This is a long-range planning process, one that will take place over the course of several years. VCCA Fellows, friends and supporters will be invited to share
Read more

The Auvillar Community Connection

Image
VCCA’s programming in Auvillar is greatly enriched by the Auvillar community and it's surrounding areas. This has become clear during the Etchings Festival when a number of community members welcomed guest composers, performers, and participants into their homes. Jacques and Annick Sarraut hosted a beautiful dinner for the entire Etchings Festival as well as others from the community. After a successful first concert, Joelle Cywie welcomed the Etchings guest composers, performers, and staff into her home for celebratory champagne and dessert. VCCA-France has members in the United States, Auvillar, and the surrounding communities. Many of these members support the programming by welcoming VCCA Fellows in residence or program participants into their homes for cooking demonstrations and meals, and by taking them to visit local sites during their time in Auvillar as well as attending events hosted by VCCA. The VCCA-France is currently helping to raise funds to purchase a keyboard
Read more