The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts loses its interim director after three weeks

"The interim director of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts stepped down over the weekend writing that " ...the Center cannot afford to pay for external services," referring to his work agreement. Now, he wrote "..the center's board can focus on what's next." Derek Jentzsch, founder of Broderick Haight Consulting, a nonprofit consulting firm, assumed the role at the cultural center earlier this month."

"Derek Jentzsch, founder of Broderick Haight Consulting, a nonprofit consulting firm, assumed the role at the cultural center earlier this month. Jentzsch said he was scheduled to work part-time as a contractor at $1,250 per week, but he ended up working nearly full-time. "No money was received or ever will be," Jentzsch wrote in an email on Wednesday. "I waived any payment when it became clear that the center couldn't pay any bills. Unfortunately, I can't afford to work for free for very long.""

"The center, a main cultural hub that offers classes, art shows and printing workshops, usually closes during the first weeks of the year, but has yet to re-open its doors. An initial opening date had been set for Jan. 13, but a lack of funds has delayed the reopening, according to board member Robert Sanchez. Jentzsch's experience, his connections to nonprofits and the arts and his willingness to take the position is what led to his selection as interim director, Sanchez said last week."

Derek Jentzsch resigned as interim director after waiving payment when it became clear the center could not pay its bills and he could not continue working unpaid. He had been hired as a part-time contractor at $1,250 per week but worked nearly full-time. The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts remains closed past its planned Jan. 13 reopening due to lack of funds. The organization currently has only a facilities manager and an accountant on payroll after major staff layoffs and reduced hours in January 2025. The board is negotiating with the city Art Commission about an advance of funds.

Read at Mission Local