The Textile Center in Minneapolis has hired Karl Reichert as its new executive director starting November 17. He has done no prior work with in textile arts, but brings substantial management experience to his new post.

Reichert is currently director of the Capri Theater, a 250 seat arts-event space owned and operated by the Plymouth Christian Youth Center in North Minneapolis. The theater, which was renovated in 2009, stages music, film and theater performances as well as community forums. It presents a popular jazz series and diverse programs ranging from hip hop performances to Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts.

"Everything we learned about him made us think he will be a good new executive director" for the Textile Center, said Donna Peterson, president of the fiber organization.

Peterson cited Reichert's experience in financial management, fund raising, development, artistic programming and "motivation of young people and artists" as key qualifications for the new post.

"He's had a ton of experience in the arts community, and we think he can quickly learn the specifics of textiles," said Peterson. "We wanted a manager who can help us with raising money and reaching the public as we develop programs and go into the future."

Prior to the Capri, where he has worked for nearly eight years, Reichert was a marketing and public relations consultant. He was fund raising director for R.T. Rybak's 2001 mayoral campaign, and was director of public affairs at the Minnesota Orchestral Association from 1992 to 2000.

STAR TRIBUNE, Star Tribune

At the Textile Center, Reichert follows Tim Fleming who resigned in March after two years in the post.

Founded in 1994, the Textile Center at 3000 University Av. S.E., Minneapolis, is a nationally known center for fiber arts ranging from weaving and fabric-dying to knitting, lace-making and batik. Its $800,000 annual budget supports a staff of 14 full- and part-time employees, an exhibition gallery, classrooms, a library and a small shop selling artisanal textiles.