Leadership Transition

Throughout the pandemic, Antenna has worked to support and bolster the sustainability of creators through the launch of Creative Response. We have journeyed with many local arts organizations and artists taking on unprecedented challenges, partnerships, and learnings that make this moment feel both transitional and transformative. Like so many other organizations, Antenna has arrived at a new transitional point with the departure of Executive Director Bob Snead.

This departure has been in development, but the urgency of organizing Antenna’s pandemic response required all hands on deck. With some of that effort seeing growing support from the local creative sector, Bob will leave at the end of September to refocus on his artistic practice and support his family’s move to South Carolina.

“I’ve had the sincere pleasure of working with so many massively talented people, and I will truly miss being a part of this creative community. Working with Antenna has provided me with the joy of one amazing project after another. However the economic downturn has taken its toll personally with the permanent shutter of our family bakery, Shake Sugary, and my wife and I are feeling pressed to be closer to the rest of our family in this challenging time,” said Bob of his departure.

Bob leaves Antenna having been a part of the organization for nine years, first as an artist volunteer for the annual Draw-A-Thon event, then as a collective member, board member, and for the last five years as the organization’s first Executive Director.

“During his time at Antenna, Bob has fostered an enthusiasm for experimentation, adventure, and a deep commitment to our local community of artists,” said Antenna board member, Ron Bechet. Under Bob’s leadership, Antenna has seen exponential growth with the creation of programs like the Platforms Fund, which has distributed nearly a million dollars in support to artists over the last five years in collaboration with Ashé Cultural Art Center, and the founding of Paper Machine, a creator-driven publishing center, which operates under the Antenna umbrella to support ambitious art and books in print. 

“Bob’s visionary leadership has transformed Antenna and his tireless commitment has had an enormously positive impact on the New Orleans creative community and beyond. We are looking forward to seeing where his next adventures take him. We are also truly excited about the next chapter of our work at Antenna,” said Robin Levy, Antenna board president. In the weeks ahead, Antenna’s board of directors will announce interim leadership as they work to support the transition, alongside developing a search for a permanent Executive Director. This fall, the organization will also work through a planning process to engage in dialogue and action to shape the next generation of its work. 

(Photo by Sean Fader from the Antenna All-Org Meeting in early 2020)