Andrew Clark
Executive Director
Texarkana Symphony Orchestra
LT Class of 2010
What have you learned most about making a difference in Texarkana (or about your opportunity for community leadership) from being a part of Leadership Texarkana?
Leadership Texarkana transformed my understanding of community impact through personal involvement. Becoming an informed citizen, learning to encourage and invest in the causes most vital to future of Texarkana and championing others to do the same, is perhaps what I find most valuable about my involvement with Leadership Texarkana.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership is an acoustical art. --Leonard Sweet
It is the musings of Sweet in his book Summoned to Lead, which changed my perception and personal definition of what it means to be a leader. I guess I knew this concept all along, but Sweet gave words to the meaning:
“In leadership, hearing a vision is more important than casting one. Leadership is a “calling”—a call you respond to, not a position you assume or a role you train for.”
For what community organization or issue or opportunity do you have a passion and invest your time, talent or money?
Since my profession is arts administration the creative arts and arts education are very important to me. Of course, of greatest importance is the continued success of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra specifically.
If you had one wish and could make a difference of significance in Texarkana (your small corner) what would you do with that one wish and why?
Provide the funding necessary to renovate, expand and endow the Perot Theatre making symphony concerts, opera, Broadway shows, and theatre more likely and easier to produce. (Few know that the Perot is limited due to the increased size and technical demands of today’s concert and entertainment productions.)
What do many people not know about you that you would to share with us? What are some of your passions and hobbies?
My wife would say that I have a great sense of humor that few ever see. I am also a big Cardinals baseball fan. I enjoy spending time with my wife and sons, music, reading, and restoring antique furniture.
What do you most love to do in Texarkana?
It would be a tie…Dinner at one of our fantastic locally owned and operated restaurants and then an event at the Perot Theatre, or spending time with our kids at Bringle Lake Park.
What do you most love about Texarkana, in general?
I most love the people, the rich history and the incredible potential that lies ahead for this community.
Andrew Clark is a professional musician, arts administrator, educator and community volunteer with diverse experience in strategic planning, project management, contract negotiations, fundraising, non-profit management. As a representative of small orchestras, Andrew served on the Board of the prestigious League of American Orchestras for four years. Andrew earned an Master of Arts in Music from University of North Texas in 2001 and a Bachelor of Music from Ouachita Baptist University in 1995. In addition to being the Executive Director of the TSO, he also teaches Music Appreciations as an adjunct professor at TAMU-T, and serves part-time as parish organist for St. James’ Episcopal Church. As a musicologist Andrew’s research interests include: sacred music, American music, and the governance and management of American arts organizations from the late 19th century to the present.