Robert Hutchens, executive director of the Clayton Center for the Arts, is a native of Blount County and has lived in Blount County most of his life.

He attended Maryville College and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, earning degrees in theatre and foreign language education.

For a number of years, he worked as a teacher and arts administrator in the UT Theatre Department before joining the Peace Corps and going to Thailand as an English teacher. Upon his return, he continued his career in theatre, working for the Bijou Theatre Center as actor, director and administrator.

In 1988, he began teaching English as a Second Language at Maryville College in the Center for English Language Learning. He served as an assistant director and an international recruiter, as well.

Executive Committee

Nancy Cain, Carolyn Forster, Cathy Hammon, Kevin Painter and Bill Robinson make up the Executive Committee, which has the authority to act for the Advisory Board as needed “to consider issues in a timely manner between regularly scheduled meetings of the Advisory Board.”

Clayton Center for the Arts Advisory Board

Ten members of the Advisory Board are appointed by the College, eight are appointed by the City of Maryville, and four are appointed by the City of Alcoa. The remaining eight members are jointly appointed by all three bodies. Terms are expected to last three years.

• The Advisory Board members representing the City of Maryville include: Joy Bishop, Heath Claiborne, Ed Harmon, Fran Leonard, Amy Morton, Doug Overbey, Bill Robinson and Tom Taylor.
• The City of Alcoa is represented by: Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Green, Cathy Hammon, Caroline Tate and George Williams.
• Maryville College’s representatives on the board include: Robert Bonham, Wilson Borden, Starr Bragg, Nancy Cain, Randy Massey, Ellie Morrow, Kevin Painter, Kim Slater, Steve West and Joe Zappa.
• Members jointly appointed are: Mike Brackett, Rob Britt, Bill Clabough, Ibby Davis, Rachel Ford, Carolyn Forster, Jane Tolhurst, Terry Wilson.

Clayton Center for the Arts Staff

• Robert Hutchens // Position:Executive Director
  Phone:865.981.8264 // Email:robert.hutchens@claytonartscenter.com
• John Cherry // Position:Marketing Director
  Phone:865.981.8263 // Email:john.cherry@claytonartscenter.com
• Margaret Forrester // Position:Administrative Coordinator
  Phone:865.981.8577 // Email:margaret.forrester@claytonartscenter.com
• Jessica Popek // Position:Box Office Manager / Programming Assistant
  Phone:865.981.8578 // Email:jessica.popek@claytonartscenter.com
• Bryan Smith // Position:Operations Manager
  Phone:865.981.8577 // Email:bryan.smith@claytonartscenter.com