CREATE announces new permanent director

By Patrick Lynn

CREATE Portage County has a new director.

Maggie Marquardt, a UW-Stevens Point graduate who studied arts management and dance, formerly served on CREATE’s board of directors. She formally took the reigns of CREATE on Sept. 6, according to Bill Schierl, CREATE’s board president.

Marquardt describes herself as a “perpetual dabbler” in various forms of art, theater, and music. She’s been a member of CREATE for six years, according to a press release from Schierl.

Marquardt holds an MBA from the Bolz Center for Arts Administration at UW-Madison where her studies included community economic analysis, entrepreneurship, and creative placemaking.

Prior to joining CREATE, Maggie served as director of development and major gifts officer for the College of Fine Arts and Communication at UW-Stevens Point. She has also overseen donor relations and grant management for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wis., and fundraising for the Celebrate Children Foundation and the YMCA of Dane County in Madison.

“The through line in all of my work has been joining with people who want to imagine together what’s possible,” Maggie said in the news release. “CREATE has already been an incredible connector in Central Wisconsin and the broader region. I am humbled and excited to step into this role to help leverage our collective creativity in advancing vibrant and welcoming communities.”

Marquardt replaces Jeff Rice, who was appointed as interim director for the nonprofit organization in June. Schierl called Rice’s work “pivotal” while CREATE transitioned its leadership.