ARK SETS TRANSITION PLAN FOR SIGLIN RETIREMENT

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (November 29, 2006)—The Board of Directors of The Ark, Ann Arbor’s nationally acclaimed nonprofit music venue, has announced that longtime Program Director Dave Siglin plans to retire in March of 2008. Siglin, 64, has been with the organization since 1968.

“Dave is giving us plenty of time to make plans for the future,” said The Ark’s Board Chair George Peapples. “It’s not often that an organization has the benefit of one person’s vision and creativity for four decades. Dave has been the heart of The Ark all these years, and while we can’t replace him, we have an excellent opportunity to make a thoughtful transition and assure The Ark’s sustainability well into the future.”

The Ark’s Board has announced changes in conjunction with Siglin’s pending retirement. “We currently have a co-directorship with a Program Director and a Managing Director,” said Peapples. “At Dave’s retirement, we’ll move to an Executive Director model. We’re starting the transition toward that structure now.”

Marianne James, The Ark’s Managing Director, has been named Executive Director-Elect effective immediately. James will become Executive Director upon Siglin’s retirement. Siglin will continue to serve as Program Director through the remainder of his tenure. To recognize his significance to The Ark, the Board has also given him the honorary title of President.

“We want to give Dave permanent recognition to mark his legacy at The Ark,” said Peapples of Siglin’s added title of President. “We plan to retire that title when he retires.”

Peapples said The Ark’s Board has great confidence in James’ ability to lead the organization into the future. “Marianne is uniquely qualified to step into the Executive Director role after Dave retires. During her nine-year tenure, she’s demonstrated the leadership, vision and commitment to The Ark’s mission that will maintain the fundamental elements of The Ark’s legacy and look to the opportunities of the future.”

A national search for a new Program Director will be conducted in the second half of 2007.

Siglin was hired as Manager of The Ark in 1968, four years after its establishment by five local churches in an old Victorian home on Hill Street in Ann Arbor. Under his direction, The Ark grew from a small “coffee house ministry” into one of the world’s most renowned music clubs presenting folk, roots and ethnic music. Siglin made it his goal to bring the best folk and roots artists in the business to The Ark. As he expanded the venue’s programming, audiences continued to grow along with the club’s reputation. Siglin presided over two moves for the club as it expanded from 208 seats on Hill Street to 400 in its current location at 316 S. Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Each location has carried on the hallmarks that Siglin established on Hill Street: an intimate, welcoming atmosphere for both audiences and artists, and an ongoing commitment to excellence in programming.