The Peru Gazette

2004 Peru High School Grad

(PLATTSBURGH, NY – January 16, 2025) The Board of Trustees of the Strand Center for the Arts has announced the appointment of Megan Charland to the position of Executive Director of the organization. Charland has been with the SCA as the Artistic Programming Director since 2022 and has been instrumental in strengthening the SCA’s connection to the community and advancing its mission.

“Over the last three years, Ms. Charland has proven an unwavering focus on creating the best version of our organization over its 25-year history,” said Tom McNichols, President of the Board of Trustees.

“We look forward to continued growth and sustainability as we remain steadfast in our dedication to our mission to the community with Megan at the helm.”

Charland brings with her a nearly 20-year career working within the nonprofit sector as an arts administrator, with a focus in community arts education. Since joining the Strand Center for the Arts team in 2022, she has increased educational revenue, grown staffing, diversified programming and re-engaged the local community to make the Strand Center for the Arts a beacon of creativity and engagement for the North Country region.

“I’ve spent most of my career in Western New York and, honestly, never thought I would have the opportunity to work as an arts administrator in my hometown,” said Charland.

“This region is so incredibly lucky to have this resource here for our community, and I do not take for granted the responsibility and privilege it is to lead it. I’m immensely proud of the work my team and I have accomplished here at the Strand over the past few years, and I look forward to the work ahead of us to continue bringing thoughtful and engaging arts programming to our community.”

A graduate of Peru Central School (Class of 2004), Charland is a North Country native who returned to the region in 2020. Positively impacting people’s lives through the arts has always been at the heart of her work throughout her career, whether it be serving as a program director, curator, producer or photo editor. Charland earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Visual Studies Workshop in association with The College at Brockport in 2013. She also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Professional Photographic Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2008.

In addition to expanding the Strand Center for the Arts’ quarterly educational opportunities in both the arts center and theatre, Charland has developed multiple community programs. These programs include the “Law Enforcement Mindfulness Program” for law enforcement personnel and their families; “ART/WORK: Worthwhile Opportunities through Resources & Knowledge” for youth; and “Creative Action: Art Experiences for Vets” for our local veterans. Charland also expanded the organization’s “Art Helps Scholarship Program” to benefit not only youth and seniors, but adults of all ages – truly reflecting the value each staff and board member of the SCA share, which is that art is for everyone.

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) extended a warm congratulations to Charland for her appointment as Executive Director.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Megan since she returned to the North Country to help bring more arts programs to our region, like the Strand Center’s law enforcement mindfulness program for local officers and their families, which I funded,” said Jones. “Great things are in store for the Strand Center and I look forward to continuing to work with Megan and her team to support local artists and arts programs.”

Looking forward to 2025, Charland is eager to continue developing community partnerships, expanding sustainable revenue streams and completing the $905,000 Raise the Roof Capital Campaign.