Yellowknife (Apr 23/04) - The executive director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre is leaving Yellowknife this spring.

Ina Murray has run the theatre for the past seven years, but said it's time for a break. The former dancer plans to take a year off before deciding what's next.

"I'll always be involved with the performing arts," she said.

The role of executive director at NACC is a demanding one. Murray has held the position longer than anyone else in the theatre's 20-year history. The runner-up in length of service put in four and a half years.

"Here, you do all of it: the booking, the organizing, the fundraising," said Murray.

"I want to step back and figure out which one to focus on."

She and her husband Ryan are moving to Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after 13 years in Yellowknife.

Before becoming NACC's executive director, Murray co-ordinated two Caribou Carnivals and the Folk on the Rocks festival.

In addition to filling the job of executive director, NACC is also hiring an office manager. That position has been vacant since the death of Patricia Dei in a car accident near Fort Providence last June.

Right now the board is in the process of setting up interviews with candidates.

Ken Woodley, the president of NACC's board of directors, said programming at the theatre will not be affected by the turnover of staff.

"There will be an orderly transition," said Woodley.