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A Chautauqua County native has been selected to lead Fredonia’s Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center into its next chapter.

Alison L. Barry, a Jamestown resident with more than 30 years of experience in the world of performing arts, has been named director of the arts center following a national search earlier this summer.

Ms. Barry comes to Fredonia from Chautauqua Institution, where she was serving as Director of Patron Experience and Ticketing. She officially begins her duties on Sept. 2, following Jefferson Westwood who retired on Aug. 16 after 43 years as director of RAC.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Fredonia and Rockefeller Arts Center,” said Barry, who served as Ticketing and Audience Services Manager with the Fredonia Ticket Office from 2007 to 2019. “Much of my career has been spent understanding patrons and what makes them tick. I believe that knowledge will serve me well as I delve into programming and audience development.”

The arts center is the original and oldest center for performing and visual arts in the SUNY System. With four performance venues and two galleries, RAC hosted 125 performances and art exhibitions during the 2024-25 season, with attendance topping 30,000 people.

As the director of Rockefeller Arts Center, Barry’s duties will include leadership and strategic planning, overseeing programming and artistic direction, and fundraising in collaboration with Fredonia College Foundation development staff.

Mr. Westwood, who served as Barry’s supervisor during her time at the Fredonia Ticket Office, thinks she is an excellent choice for the post.

“I have the utmost confidence in Alison and her ability to do this job,” he said. “She has an extensive background in performing arts administration and a record of great success with a number of organizations.”

In addition to positions at Fredonia and Chautauqua Institution, Barry previously served as Treasurer and Box Office Manager for Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from St. Bonaventure University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Houghton College.

During her previous stint at Fredonia, Barry served as an instructor for the ticket office practicum course under Fredonia’s Arts Administration Degree program from 2007 to 2019, guiding students to the skills needed for a career in professional ticketing and arts administration. From 2018 to 2019, Barry served as coordinator for the Arts Administration minor.

Barry said her interest in a career in performing arts administration goes back to her childhood, where she “grew up in a household of artists and musicians.”

“I recall being taken to the ballet as a child and was mesmerized — and to this day, am deeply moved by live dance,” she said. “These experiences prompted me to pursue dance and music, but being on stage always made me anxious.”

At age 19, Barry had the opportunity to work in an arts center box office. It was a transformative moment.

“The hiring manager liked my skills: I was good with numbers and could correctly pronounce classical composer names,” she said. “I loved coming to work every day: walking through backstage, catching a glimpse of the performers, sneaking into the balcony to watch rehearsals. It was magical — and I was hooked!”

Barry continues to enjoy the performing arts outside of work.

“My husband and I saw ‘Rocky Horror ‘performed at Oberlin College this past spring,” she said. “The cast and crew hit it out of the park - Great Scott!”

And her music playlist is currently headed by multi-GRAMMY Award winner Jason Isbell.

“Jason Isbell’s, ‘Foxes in the Snow’ is a gut punch and so, so good,” she said of the singer/songwriter’s most recent album. “I’ve been hitting repeat on the track ‘Open and Close.’ He’s arguably our greatest modern-day songwriter. I’d highly recommend checking out his catalog of work!”

Barry currently serves as the U.S. representative to the Greater Niagara Ticketing Professionals, a cross-border organization of live-event professionals.

Previously, she served on the board of directors for the International Ticketing Association (INTIX) and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

Barry is a graduate and member of the Chautauqua Leadership Network and was named to the 2011 list of the Chautauqua Region’s “40 under 40 Community and Business Leaders.”

Barry resides in Jamestown with her husband, Len. They have two adult children, Kate and Pete.