Boone completes cultural resources hires
Mark Freed was hired Dec. 27 to serve as the cultural programs coordinator, according to town Human Resources Director Peri Moretz.
File photo
As of last week, the town of Boone has completed the hiring
process for the three employees of its new Cultural Resources Department.
Mark Freed was
hired Dec. 27 to serve as the cultural programs coordinator, according to town human resources
director Peri Moretz. The position was created primarily to manage programs at the town’s Jones
House Community Center in downtown Boone.
Freed previously worked for the Watauga County Arts
Council as a folklorist, coordinating the Concerts on the Lawn summer music series, music lessons
for children and adults and weekly jam sessions at the Jones House.
When the partnership
between the town and the Arts Council ended and the council left the Jones House last spring, Freed
contracted with the town to continue programs at the Jones House.
The cultural program
coordinator’s salary is $38,979.
Victoria Allen was hired as a part-time cultural resources
staff member Sept. 25. The position pays $12.11 per hour.
Pilar Fotta was hired as the
cultural resources director in September. The director’s salary is $57,720. Fotta previously served
as the town’s downtown development coordinator, a vacant position for which the town recently
conducted interviews.
The Cultural Resources Department was created as the result of the
town’s decision last spring to end its contract with the Watauga Arts Council to manage the Jones
House and instead directly manage the town’s cultural facilities via new staff members and the new
Cultural Resources Board.
Boone’s cultural facilities include the Jones House, Horn in the
West amphitheater, Hickory Ridge Homestead and Rivers house.
