Newly appointed Ann Arbor Art Center President and CEO Marie Klopf got to test-run her new gig before taking the helm of the anchor art institution. After serving as interim president for about 4 months, she recently spoke with AnnArbor.com about officially getting the job and her vision for future.

The Art Center searched hard for someone to replace past president Marsha Chamberlin, who retired after more than 3 decades with the organization. But when Chamberlin was ready to retire, at the end of 2012, they were still looking.

The original plan was for Klopf to fill the spot during the interim, and the art center's board of directors' search continued. Then Klopf fell in love with the Art Center, its staff, and the idea of staying on—so she joined the large pool of applicants. The board of directors selected her this March last month.

Klopf's savvy comes from more than 2 decades of experience in business operations, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and the world of technology. She served as the president of Current Motors in Ann Arbor in 2011 and 2012, after working as a consultant for them. She is also founder of ISUPPLYCON, a supply-chain consulting company, and a limited partner in BELLE Capital, an angel fund that invests in women-owned businesses in Michigan.

Klopf grew up in Howell and now lives in the Brighton area, but she plans to move to Ann Arbor next month.

The Art Center has a long history and plenty of things that are working. At the same time, this is an opportunity for Klopf to approach the organization "a little like a start-up," and lend a fresh perspective on its potential, she says.

"Marsha's legacy in town is second to none. It's been a continuous organization for over 100 years. Not many non-profit art centers can claim that. I want to build upon a foundation that is already rock solid. I don't want to lose the history that we have and the value of the programming. People love it here," she says.

But it is also a proper time for her to try some new things. "We are going to explore new avenues that move along with the current times," Klopf says.

This is Klopf's first time working for a non-profit, and she is not an artist herself—though she is an art appreciator. She is aware that people might view her as an art newbie. "There are people who might be concerned that I am not an artist myself," she says of "the elephant in the room."

When it comes down to it, "the Art Center already has an incredible team of artistic people and a board of directors that is passionate about art," she says. "At the end of the day, I might be the maestro, but we have so many art people to make decisions about art, manage the gallery side of things. In some ways, I have to stay out of their way and let the organization stand on its own."

As for her role, an important order of business is to do strategic planning for the organization's next 5 years. This is where her business acumen becomes invaluable. "I'm managing a lot of different pieces to make sure we grow and we are successful into the future, including expanding what we do internally with programming and also outreach-wise," she says.

With a particular interest in technology, Klopf is working on incorporating that into art programs. Eventually, that could mean obtaining the infrastructure—computers and software—to start offering classes in beginning graphic design, filmmaking, and website design.

"Adding the technology side to visual art represents a huge opportunity for us," she says. The first big campaign we will run will be to really add resources in that area, so we can offer that kind of programming," she elaborates.

Klopf is a big proponent of the STEM initiative to promote science, technology, engineering, and math education. She was a keynote speaker in Macomb County last year for STEM. She sees the value in adding an "A" for art to make STEAM - common in Ann Arbor discourse these days.

"I would make the argument that our public school systems have not made a good enough case for arts. But the value that art brings to children is incredible. It teaches them to deal with ambiguity. It teaches them to deal when there is no right or wrong. It teaches them to work through an unknown and come out the other end. Those things are invaluable in many careers," Klopf says.

She thinks teaching creativity is especially valuable to kids thinking about careers in technology. "It doesn't take anybody very long to realize that if you don't take technology and add creativity to it, you're never going to get innovation. Creative innovation can recreate the country, in my opinion," she says.

Another area of the Art Center that Klopf wants to grow is outreach. "I would love for the Art Center to collaborate with more different organizations in town. There are so many opportunities for that here," she says.

It sounds like she will be pursuing more collaborations with non-art groups—perhaps organizing something with a healthcare organization or reaching out to more seniors. These are some of the details she is working out in her vision, as she gets settled into the new job.

The thing she has enjoyed the most is getting to know Ann Arbor. "I think Ann Arbor is second to none as far as the engagement of the community, excitement, passion, and politics," she says.