Curtain Call: BPAC Head Resigns

In a few short weeks, the Burnsville Performing Arts Center will no longer have an executive director at the helm. Jon Elbaum announced his resignation on Wednesday after a year-and-a-half as the controversial facility's executive director.

Elbaum is departing on Aug. 31 for a position as the lead administrator for the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in New York state.

"I cannot begin to express how difficult a decision this was for me," Elbaum stated in a press release sent out by his employer, VenuWorks, which is charged with the BPAC's operations. "This job opportunity will allow my wife and me to live within an hour or so of our daughters. I have enjoyed my time in Burnsville."

Elbaum took over for former Executive Director Wolf Larson in March of 2010. Since that time, city officials say that under his leadership the BPAC's financial standing has improved. They added that the venue has also seen increases in both bookings and attendance. Recently he unveiled a new plan to further gird the BPAC's fund balance.

"We will miss Jon," said Mayor Elizabeth Kautz. "He is a strong Executive Director who always kept his eye on the bottom line and helped put our performing arts center on the map."

VenuWorks hopes to have a replacement by November.