UIS Performing Arts Director to Retire

Bryan Rives, director of the UIS Performing Arts Center, will retire June 30, 2026, after nine years leading the center, the University of Illinois Springfield announced.

During his tenure, Rives helped elevate the UIS Performing Arts Center as a major destination for arts and entertainment in central Illinois, while strengthening relationships with patrons, donors and community partners. His leadership also helped guide the organization through growth and transformation, including a major facility renovation expected to be completed this summer.

"My time at the University of Illinois Springfield has really been about the people—getting to work alongside such a talented and committed team, with the support of a university that truly values the performing arts, and a community that has stepped up in a meaningful way as donors and supporters,” said Rives. "The growth of the UIS Performing Arts Center over these past nine years is a reflection of that shared effort, along with the strong foundation built by the directors who came before me. With the renovation wrapping up this summer, it feels like the right time to pass leadership to the next director, who can build on that momentum and continue moving the center forward as a leading venue in the community.”

In connection with Rives’ retirement, Sarah Brewer has been appointed interim director of UIS Performing Arts Services, effective July 1, 2026. The interim appointment is expected to last one to two years while a national search is conducted for a permanent director.

Brewer brings experience in backstage operations, producing and fundraising, along with a background leading large teams and managing multi-million-dollar budgets. UIS said she has also built strong relationships with patrons and donors, preparing her to guide the performing arts center during the transition.

"I want to thank Bryan Rives for his leadership and service to the UIS Performing Arts Center over the past nine years,” said Janet L. Gooch, chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield. "His leadership is defined by strategic modernization and stewardship, organizational growth, a strong commitment to community impact and accessibility and an emphasis on inclusion and innovative programming. Through his work, he has strengthened the center’s role as a vital cultural resource in central Illinois.”