New Westmoreland Cultural Trust director has busy first week

April Kopas said she spent about 20 minutes last week ticking the boxes on the typical new job checklist — moving into her office and setting up her email — before the real work began.

“Ever since then, it’s just been diving into the projects we have going on here,” said Kopas, the new CEO of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

Kopas takes the helm at a busy time for the trust, which has several projects in the works and more on the way, she said.

She spent much of her first week meeting with various organization stakeholders, including donors, tenants and artists.

“There’s certainly a lot of enthusiasm for continuing to grow the cultural trust countywide,” Kopas said.

Though the Palace Theatre in Greensburg will remain the organization’s centerpiece, Kopas wants to see the trust expand its reach.

“How do we do promotions in other communities, how do we reach out to communities outside of Greensburg?” she said. “This countywide entity is really here for the promotion of arts, culture and economic development in all communities.”

One early step toward spreading trust programs out of Greensburg is the upcoming “Wings Across Westmoreland” initiative.

A large, stylized pair of wings on a wall in Greensburg is a popular part of the organization’s Art in the Alley public art exhibit. More wings will be installed in other towns this summer, including Ligonier, East Huntingdon and Jeannette.

Back in Greensburg, the cultural trust recently finished a nine-year renovation project, debuting four apartments above the Palace Theatre.

Kopas said her past experience can help her make connections countywide.

She’s previously worked as executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of Westmoreland County and the Westmoreland County Land Bank.

She is married to county Commissioner Ted Kopas.

She replaces Michael J. Langer, who resigned as Westmoreland Cultural Trust CEO in November after 15 years with the organization.

Between Langer’s departure and Kopas’ arrival, Marine Corps veteran Nancy P. Anderson served as interim director.