By Matthew Avitabile
HUNTER — The Catskill Mountain Foundation (CMF) recently appointed Amy Scheibe as its new Executive Director January 1st, and she spoke with us this week about the great plans for the organization.
Scheibe is also the Board Chair of the Hunter Foundation, a role she took on when she moved to the area full time in 2017. After speaking to Peter and Sarah Finn about the Catskill Mountain Foundation and its immense impact on arts in the community, she became increasingly impressed with their dedication to the Mountaintop, and volunteered whenever she had the time.
Their efforts working together led to the Maude Adams Theater Hub (MATH), a fully-local enterprise that engages with community members to create theatrical performances. The summer of 2021, MATH staged Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, the first CMF live performance post-shut down. Math has expanded significantly to eight to ten performances annually.
“Each year it grows more and more solid,” Scheibe said.
“Being tasked with creating a hub of performers and creatives has allowed me to get more involved in community building, and also to learn the inner workings of CMF. The amazing work that Peter and Sarah Finn have put into building the organization with the deeply-rooted help and guidance of a team of extraordinary people became apparent immediately, and left a huge impression.”
After recognizing the need for an Executive Director, the Finns approached Scheibe about possibly taking the role last fall, leading to a series of discussions, and ultimately an agreement.
“It’s a long-time and short-time coming,” Scheibe said.
“Catskill Mountain Foundation has such amazing people working within the organization. Knowing that the structure is well situated allows for me to take on this leadership role with an eye towards service both within the building and outside in the community. With a team like CMF has put together, it was easy to say yes.”
“Now we need to tell people all the wonderful things we do,” Scheibe said. “This is our time to really engage the community about the many great performing arts programs, the Mountain Cinema, Sugar Maples Center for the Creative Arts and the Natural Agriculture Farm in Maplecrest, the Orpheum Dance Program, the Piano Performance Museum, The Catskill Regional Guide Magazine, and of course, Maude Adams Theater Hub. CMF has been essential in developing and underwriting a number of local in-school and after school educational projects as well as creative arts in the summer, and we’re currently working on developing on site music instruction.”
“Coming to work and knowing that CMF is going to make a difference in people’s lives centers me every day,” Scheibe continued. “What joy it is to spread the word about cultural opportunities for the Mountaintop.”
Scheibe would like to amplify the Mountain Cinema brand, and develop a fresh approach to concessions and comfort. The theater shows three films per week. This week is the Golden Globe winning films Marty Supreme and Hamnet, and film festival favorite, Eternity. Scheibe also mentioned that every year the Mountain Cinema screens the shorts that are nominated for Oscars.
Another area destined for growth is CMF’s partnerships with cultural brands like their current involvement with The Joyce Theater, the Works and Process at the Guggenheim, and Victoria Rinaldi’s work bringing Joffrey Ballet School New York and The Ballet Hispanico School to dance with her young students on and off stage.
“Art is what gets you through,” Scheibe said. “No matter the circumstances, art allows us to find our way through the good and bad times.” Her mission is tightly aligned with that of CMF: to bring joy through performance and artistic endeavor to the Mountaintop.
“I’ve worked in a lot of places,” Scheibe said, “and the opportunity to use that experience to help a local arts center is a true gift. Putting joy out there is something I try to do every day.” She cited those involved with recent performances, including 50 local actors on stage for Disney’s The Little Mermaid in July. “It’s not easy work,” she said, “but it’s so rewarding. How cool is that?”
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