Taylor Bergen named CSPS executive director

CEDAR RAPIDS — Taylor Bergen, who led CSPS through the pandemic as the organization’s interim executive director, will continue the forward trajectory as executive director of the contemporary arts and entertainment presenter owned and operated by Legion Arts.

Located at 1103 Third St. SE, CSPS Hall is an anchor in Cedar Rapids’ New Bohemia District.

“I feel good overall,” said Bergen, 32, of Cedar Rapids, who also is a Realtor and owns two real estate-related businesses.

“We’ve done a lot of great work as an organization, with the board and staff over past 18, 19 months, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” he said, “next to a lot of new and exciting changes and opportunities that we’ll be announcing over the next few months.

“So I’m excited, but know there’s a lot of work to be done to get the organization to where we want it to be and where we want it to be for the community.”

"Taylor's accomplishments since I joined the Legion Arts/CSPS Hall board in December 2019 helped stabilize the organization and ensure its continued success," David Maier, the board's treasurer and chairman of the executive director search committee, said this week in a statement announcing the appointment.

He noted that Bergen secured grants and private funding in excess of $125,000; settled more than $100,000 in debts; and repurposed retail space in the building.

Past President Matt Steele added that Bergen adapted gallery space to the virtual realm, allowing CSPS to present 25 visual art performances during 2020.

Moving forward, Bergen has partnered with local nonprofits, including NewBo City Market, to host outdoor live music performances this spring and summer.

The Legion Arts board also announced these new members: Sarah Halbrook, Tamara Marcus, Elizabeth Moreau, secretary Julie Parisi and president Monica Vernon. Parisi and Vernon will join treasurer Maier on the board's executive committee.

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