Strathmore Names Joi Brown as New Vice President of Programming

Joi Brown

Joi Brown has been named Strathmore‘s new vice president of programming.

As part of the leadership team headed by CEO Eliot Pfanstiehl and President Monica Jeffries Hazangeles, Brown is scheduled to take the helm of Strathmore’s programming department beginning in September. With primary responsibility for conceptualizing and implementing performance programming in the 1,976-seat Music Center at Strathmore, the vice president of programming determines the overall artistic direction of the institution, season planning, and local community engagement.

“Joi Brown possesses an extraordinary capability for discovering innovative performers and for extending the reach of compelling artistic product through education and community activities, a hallmark of Strathmore’s artistic presentations which we’re excited for her to expand and build upon,” said Strathmore President Monica Jeffries Hazangeles. “She is extremely creative and brings to Strathmore a programming perspective informed by her knowledge of multiple markets in North America and arts festivals around the world.”

Brown is Strathmore’s second vice president of programming, a position initially held by Shelley Brown (no relation), who had been with Strathmore for 17 years and helped to build the Music Center’s reputation and define its regional presence since its opening in 2005. Looking forward from the Music Center’s 10th anniversary season, Brown is expected to re-imagine and enhance Strathmore’s artistic vision to reflect the changing landscape of Montgomery County and the broader Washington, D.C. region, as well as the evolving field of multidisciplinary arts presenting.

Brown is the founder and director of 4Site Programming, a firm that has provided support for performing arts centers and arts organizations across the country, assisting with the development of mission-specific programming strategies, risk assessment, and program implementation. Prior to founding 4Site, Brown was the Vice President for Programming & Education at Omaha Performing Arts, where she provided artistic direction for the historic 2,600-seat Orpheum Theater, as well as the 2,000 seat Holland Performing Arts Center, and a third flexible-use venue, presenting 80-120 performances each season. Earlier experience in the performing arts includes General Manager and Director of Programming at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts and Executive Director of the Oshkosh Opera House Foundation.

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