AUGUSTA — The Maine Arts Commission has announced that Julie Richard has been selected as the agency’s new director after an extensive nationwide search. She will assume her position on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

A news release describes the appointment as follows:

Throughout her more than 25 year career in arts administration, Richard has held positions with increasing leadership responsibilities. She leaves her position as president and CEO of the West Valley Arts Council in Phoenix, Ariz., after successfully initiating an extensive cultural planning process in the region, and introducing several successful programs and partnerships in all artistic fields.

Prior to her eight years in Arizona, Richard directed the Metropolitan Arts Council in Greenville, S.C., and the Tulsa Opera in Oklahoma. Before that she served as development director at the Syracuse Opera in New York, where later she became director.

“Julie Richard brings a record of strong leadership to the Maine Arts Commission that will further its commitment to Maine’s artists, arts organizations and arts educators,” said a spokesperson for the Maine Arts Commission in a news release. “The com- mission members and staff look forward to working with her to sustain, strengthen and expand the vital creative investment that the arts in Maine are making in our daily lives, and in the state’s economy.”

Throughout her career, Richard has advocated for artists, created lasting partnerships, developed innovative and essential programming, championed the cause of arts education, and increased funding, the news release continues.

While leading the West Valley Arts Council, Richard worked closely with the local legislature in order to create an arts education partnership for professional development, open galleries, create essential grant programs, create an artist communication network, expand public art programs and create a performing arts series.

At the Metropolitan Arts Council she increased financial support for artists fivefold and secured a $2.1 million grant for arts education partnerships.

Richard received her master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Wisconsin and studied leadership at Harvard University. She has written and presented numerous papers on arts development, served on approximately 30 boards or councils devoted to the arts, and has received multiple honors for her devotion to the arts.