The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center announces that Executive Director Lindsay Bauer will step down from her role effective May 1, 2026.
Bauer, who began her tenure in July 2020, has accepted a new professional opportunity and will be relocating to Kansas City. During her time at the Center, she guided the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and led its recovery into a period of renewed growth and community connection.
Under her leadership, the Center expanded its programming and impact, including the launch of the Cinema Fairfield program in 2022 and the creation of the Sally Rinehart Johnston Arts in Education Program, which has provided meaningful arts experiences for area students.
During the pandemic and early years of recovery, Bauer also introduced a free outdoor summer concert series featuring Iowa artists, offering a space for community gathering at a time when it was most needed. The series was thoughtfully retired in 2025 as other local summer programming returned, reflecting the Center’s commitment to complementing and supporting the broader arts ecosystem.
In recent years, the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center has seen significant growth in attendance and engagement, welcoming audiences from across the region and strengthening its role as a hub for arts, culture, and community life in Southeast Iowa.
“This work has always been about loving well, spreading joy, and building a powerful community of curious and kind adventurers here in Southeast Iowa,” said Bauer. “I am so grateful to have been part of that alongside this community.”
“While we are sorry to see Lindsay leave, we are deeply grateful for her leadership and the transformative impact she has had on the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center,” said Board President Rachel Hillier. “She leaves the organization on strong and steady ground, with a capable team and a clear path forward. The Board looks forward to building on this momentum as we begin the search for our next Executive Director, and we wish Lindsay every success in her next chapter.”
The Center’s leadership team will continue to guide day-to-day operations, ensuring continuity of programming and services. The Board of Directors has initiated a search process for the organization’s next Executive Director. Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to executivesearch@fairfieldacc.com.