Stephanie Pacheco has been named the executive director of dance and performing arts organization The Yard.

Ms. Pacheco is a longtime arts educator and administrator and officially steps into the role on June 9 after relocating from Chicago. She most recently served as the executive director of the Chicago performance venue Links Hall.

Ms. Pacheco previously lived in New England while working at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College.

“Civic spaces that foster creativity, inquiry and community care are essential to the health of both rural communities and the national performing arts sector,” she said in a press release sent by The Yard. “The Yard resonates with all of the above.”

The Yard's announcement comes after an eight-month search for an executive director and a week before the beginning of its summer residency season. The first performance of the season is June 10.

“This ‘playground without walls’ has long been an inspiration to me, as it has to generations of artists and audiences who have visited Martha’s Vineyard,” Ms. Pacheco said in the release.

For information about The Yard’s 2023 season, visit dancetheyard.org.