Creative Haverhill Executive Director Erin Padilla is stepping down from her position at the end of the week after being with the organization for nearly eight years.
Padilla did not disclose her future plans, but said she plans to remain on the Creative Haverhill board of directors.
“This was not an easy decision because Creative Haverhill has been such an important part of my life,” said Padilla. “I care deeply about the artists, community members, volunteers, partners and supporters who have helped make this organization what it is today. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served this community through Creative Haverhill, and I look forward to continuing to support the organization and the vision for Cogswell ArtSpace in a new capacity.”
In her role at Creative Haverhill, Padilla is credited with helping to grow the organization’s public art initiatives, educational programming and community events through the organization’s downtown gallery and community art space at 43 Washington St., Haverhill.
Padilla is also recognized for her initiatives in transforming the historic George S. Cogswell School in Bradford into Cogswell ArtSpace, a future community arts center for Haverhill, which WHAV reported earlier, after she was awarded a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
As for Creative Haverhill, the organization said it plans to restructure the top role while continuing to provide exhibits, galleries and programming to the community as regularly scheduled, with some minor adjustments along the way.
“Creative Haverhill is here to stay,” said board President Danielle Kravetz Smida. “While there may be a brief transition period as we welcome new staff and adjust responsibilities, our commitment to supporting artists, providing meaningful community experiences and advancing Cogswell ArtSpace remains as strong as ever.”
Looking to the future, Creative Haverhill will focus on the development of Cogswell ArtSpace.