FilmScene announced today that Joe Tiefenthaler will become its new executive director.
Tiefenthaler has a history of directing literary and arts events in Iowa City, having previously worked as Fall Resident coordinator at the International Writing Program (IWP) and as a coordinator of literary programming for the Mission Creek Festival.
Over email, Tiefenthaler commented on how he hopes his experience with these former positions will help inform his role as executive director.
“I will very much miss working for the IWP, but the one lesson instilled there, as with Mission Creek, is to find ways to connect; artists with other artists, artists with the community, and communities with one another,” Tiefenthaler said. “In becoming executive director at FilmScene, I look forward to taking that next step, working and connecting with the University of Iowa, businesses in downtown and across the corridor and area arts organizations in order to continue cultivating the arts and cultural scene in Iowa City, right downtown, at FilmScene.”
Tiefenthaler hopes he will be able to use his background to help bring more artist-curated events to the theater.
“Through the Mission Creek network built up over the years, and generally Iowa City’s insanely wonderful history with writers, there’s an opportunity to pull in authors with screenplays or whose works have been turned into film, comedians with new specials, and bands with documentaries. It will be fun working with Andy and the Bijou board to see what programming FilmScene can offer with screenings, readings, installations, and more.“
In a release issued today, FilmScene board member Andre Perry said, “For an early-career executive in the nonprofit arts, he brings extensive experience in working with cultural organizations—both local and international—and has a track-record of designing innovative programming initiatives in our own community.”
With Tiefenthaler’s new role, FilmScene co-founder Andy Brodie will take the position of program director. Brodie says that he has been filling in as ad hoc executive director since the theater’s opening last fall. With Tiefenthaler filling in, Brodie says he’ll be able to better focus on coordinating programming for the theater.
