King Arts Complex leader Demetries Neely to leave organization in June
As she prepares to step down from her position as executive director and CEO of the King Arts Complex in June, Demetries Neely views her upcoming exit with both a sense of accomplishment and bittersweet emotions.
“It’s more sweet than bitter. Change is always good; it brings progress,” said Neely, who has led the King Arts Complex since 2011 and was a board member for 12 years before that.
“The bitter part is leaving the people — the people I work with, an incredibly aligned board. I will miss those relationships. With them, I’ve done what I came here to do. We have created such momentum and we’re stable and debtfree.”
Neely is leaving to pursue professional opportunities that she said she’s not yet at liberty to divulge, but will remain at the King Arts Complex through June 30, the end of its fiscal year, to help to ensure a smooth transition to her successor.
“I want to focus on finishing strong for the next five months at King Arts Complex,” Neely said. “Leadership is like a relay race: You have to make sure you securely pass the baton on to the next person.”
The King Arts Complex board of directors has hired Broadview Talent Partners to conduct a search for its next leader.
Alycia N. Broz, who chairs the board of directors, said in a press release that Neely is “going out on top” and that the organization is thankful for her leadership.
“She has lived our mission. She has connected and welcomed all members of the community into our doors,” Broz said.
“We look forward to honoring Demetries and celebrating all she has brought to the King Arts Complex and to the community at large.”
U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-columbus) also praised Neely for her contributions to the organization.
“We are grateful for the impactful leadership of Demetries Neely, who not only brought financial stability but also revitalized the King Arts Complex,” Beatty said in a press release.
“I eagerly anticipate the appointment of dynamic new leadership to further build upon the successful foundation established by Demetries and her team.”
Under Neely’s tenure, the King Arts Complex achieved numerous goals including paying off its final loan, forging new partnerships with organizations including Gramercy Books of Bexley and Nike, as well as Google, which awarded King Arts Complex a $100,000 grant last year.
“With a new leader coming in, that will help jumpstart their career,” Neely said.
Also under Neely, the King Arts Complex was nationally recognized by the Wallace Foundation as one of 11 high-performing arts organizations of color.
Neely’s love for the King Arts Complex is apparent when she speaks about the organization.
“It’s a feel-good place. Someone said to me, ‘We view this like our church.’ I can’t tell you how that moved me. We live our mission to connect the community through the arts,” she said.
Citing some of the highlights at King Arts Complex, Neely listed the recent MLK Day Open House that moved this year from the Ohio History Connection to the complex’s home at 835 Mount Vernon Ave. and brought out more than 9,000 people, the First Tuesday Tea for those 55 and older, the Heritage Music Festival and the youth education program, which includes STEAM education to “eliminate the digital divide in our community,” she said.
Another thing Neely and her colleagues have accomplished is breaking down barriers to entry for those who love the arts but can’t afford to attend exhibits and other events.
“The arts are a right, not a privilege,” she said. “Most of our programs are free. That’s something I’m pretty proud of.”
Neely is also active in several other organizations including as vice president of the Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium, a member of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Project 2025 Committee, and treasurer of the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company.
She and five other philanthropists, activists and businesswomen will be honored on April 11 as 2024 Women of Achievement by the YWCA Columbus. The award “honors leaders in Columbus for their determination, generosity, courage, and fight for equity.”
To her successor, Neely offers the following advice: “Keep in mind the delicate balance when you’re running a nonprofit. You have to run it like a business while embracing the arts.
“But also, I want them to do what they think is right. I don’t want to dictate; I want them to put forth their own vision and make the place better. Grow it. We just want to continue the momentum,” she said.
Though she’ll no longer be front and center, Neely said she won’t be disappearing completely from the scene at King Arts Complex, as she plans to attend its many events.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “If they’ll let me volunteer, I will!”
bpaschal@dispatch.com