MICHIGAN CITY, IN.- The Board of Directors of Lubeznik Center for the Arts announces the appointment of Erika Hanner as its Executive Director. Most recently she served as the Director of Convergent Programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago, IL. Hanner brings more than 20 years managing program initiatives including curatorial, education, performance, as well as the library and archive at MCA. She will begin her new position December 15, 2014.

Hanner will succeed Carolyn Saxton, who led LCA for eight years through a major period of growth, including spearheading several significant community initiatives that promote and/or support arts and culture within Michigan City. During her tenure attendance of the annual Lakefront Art Festival increased to over 5,000, and she helped expand LCA's annual reach to 25,000 individuals.

"Lubeznik Center for the Arts has reached a pivotal moment, and Erika Hanner brings the right mix of vision and management experience to lead the Center into its next phase," said Rachel L. Saxon, President of Lubeznik Center for the Arts Board of Directors. "We have grown the Center in all areas of operations with a special emphasis on education and contemporary art exhibitions. Erika will spearhead our continued expansion. We are thrilled to have someone who brings a strong museum background and is also familiar with our immediate service area as a resident of Northwest Indiana."

During her tenure at the MCA, Hanner oversaw operations for the MCA program division including curatorial, education and performance. Most notably, she was project director for "David Bowie Is," the MCA's most ambitious exhibition to date which runs through January 4, 2015. Hanner also oversaw the MCA Library and Archive, raising its profile both internally and externally as an invaluable but historically marginalized asset.

In her role as MCA's Beatrice C. Mayer Director of Education, Hanner was responsible for all aspects of the MCA's education program activities including school programs, family programs, docents, lectures, classes and teacher programs.

"I am thrilled to be joining the wonderful staff and dynamic Board who jointly comprise the LCA," Hanner said. "The LCA is well-positioned to grow meaningfully in its fourth decade to become even more of a leader and cultural partner in Michigan City. I am excited to be a part of that," she added.

Hanner earned a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University School of Business - Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Loyola University - Chicago. She resides in Porter, IN.