James Tune announces he's leaving ArtsFund

James Tune, president and CEO of ArtsFund since 2005, announced he will step down from the position once a successor is found.

Tune, 68, said the board had asked him to stay at least five years when he first committed to the position. By the time he expects to leave, he will have served six years as head of the organization that raises money for the arts in Western Washington.

"This has been a great gig. I have loved it," he said. "But it's really time to start thinking of the next years."

Board Chairman Jim Duncan praised Tune for expanding ArtsFund's reputation locally and nationally.

Among Tune's accomplishments, Duncan said, were leading the organization to its highest level of grants to arts groups in 2008 with $2.9 million; containing declines in funding through the recession; adding $3.5 million to the ArtsFund endowment, which is now more than $13 million; and instituting meetings with all grant recipients on how they're doing and how they can improve.

The board is forming a committee to conduct a national search with the goal of finding a successor by December.

Tune joined ArtsFund from Stoel Rives LLP, where he was managing partner of the Seattle law office. He has been and continues to be active on arts and nonprofit boards.

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com