The Hartford Symphony Orchestra has reached a new agreement with The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts that gives the musical organization more control over its operations.
The new, renegotiated four-year management services contract returns overall management responsibilities to the HSO administrative staff and retains some support services with The Bushnell.
As part of the renegotiation, Steve Collins has been named the HSO’s new executive director, effective immediately. Collins has served as the orchestra’s director of artistic operations and administration since Aug. 2014. Previously, the HSO had been run by David Fay, president and CEO of The Bushnell.
The symphony’s control of its daily operations was a subject of criticism during its recent contract negotiations with its musicians. The union said at the time, “How can a CEO of two non-profits in the same community serve two masters? The inherent conflict of interest in this shared CEO arrangement … is unmistakable. When seeking donations from shared supporters, where does the allegiance lie?”
The renegotiated agreement, which goes in effect April 1, will provide the HSO with back-office services including financial reporting, supporting fundraising data and records management, human resources administration, IT services and administrative office space. The Bushnell management team will be available in an advisory capacity regarding finance, marketing, education and community engagement, and programming implementation.
Collins was formerly executive director of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and education director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Collins also served as librarian and educational consultant for the Greater Bridgeport Symphony.
