Neil Barclay was announced this week as the replacement for Jay Weigel, who will leave as the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center’s (CAC) longest serving director.

Neil Barclay will begin tenure as the new Executive Director of the CAC this May.

Formerly of Austin, TX and West Hollywood, Barclay brings a long and distinguished history. He was most recently a senior consultant with the Arts Consulting Group, a leading provider of hands-on interim management; executive searches; fundraising and marketing consulting; facilities and program planning; and organizational development services for the arts and culture industry.

He was previously Associate Director of the Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas at Austin for seven years. He was also involved in the commissioning of new multi-disciplinary works by performing artists including the late Pina Bausch, the Kronos Quartet, Ralph Lemon, and Ronald K. Brown. He also developed the curatorial framework for the August Wilson Center’s interactive permanent exhibition and its inaugural exhibition entitled “In My Father’s House.”

There already seems to be quite the (pleased) buzz about town regarding the welcoming of the new art director’s position at the renowned CAC, one of New Orleans’ most valued cultural centers. A big job, but Barclay certainly seems up for it. Read more on what the CAC has to say here.