After 25 incredible years as Executive Director — and 30 years of service to the arts in Newton County — Buncie Hay Lanners has announced her retirement, effective March 2026.
Since stepping into leadership in 2001, Buncie has transformed the organization from a small concert series into the thriving Arts Association in Newton County we know today — reaching more than 100,000 people across eight counties, nurturing over 1,000 students annually, and helping the arts become an essential part of community life.
Her impact can be seen on every stage, in every classroom, and in every young artist whose life has been changed through the arts.
In honor of Buncie’s remarkable tenure, we invite friends, alumni, and supporters to contribute to her “Celebrate the Legacy; Create the Future” campaign. Your gift will sustain the performances, classes, and community events that define her legacy and continue shaping the future of the arts in Newton County.