Amy Robertson new director of operations for Revel

The Red River Revel recently announced the naming of a new director of operations for the annual celebration of the arts.

According to a release from the Revel, Amy Robertson brings a great deal of experience in management, accounting, budgeting, internal controls and operation to the organization.

“My main function is to oversee the operations and to make sure things run smoothly, within budget,” Robertson said. “I’ll work directly with Logan Lewis, our executive director, to develop strategies for the Revel and for all of our events. CORK: A Red River Revel Wine Event, Shreveport Brew, Shreveport Farmers’ Market, and, of course, we do the Wayne Curtis Memorial Fundraiser every year, which is a lot of fun.”

Robertson comes to the Revel from the Bossier Parish Library system, where she served as the business manager. Her primary duties were to oversee operating and capital project funds through budget planning, revision and forecasting. Robertson said this new position is a new challenge.

“It has been a big adjustment. This being non-profit versus government, it’s quite different how we do everything. So really, I’m going to be learning a lot this year,” she said. She described working for the Bossier libraries as a wonderful experience, but when she saw the Revel opportunity, she recognized it as a means to continue to serve the public more closely.

“Working with the library system was [my] first time working in a position where you were serving the public. Everything you do is about them. And I fell in love with community service. What better way for me to be able to serve the community, especially the one I live in, not only our artists and musicians, but also bringing art education to our community and providing such a cool venue for everybody to participate in every year.”

Robertson said her favorite aspect of the Revel is all the things it provides for the local community.

Aside from a huge sampling of local cuisine, it brings various music and educational opportunities for the young and old – things like arts education for the children at Fourth Grade Day and providing learning opportunities for emerging artists. “To learn what it takes to be an artist,” she explained. “It really helps them to succeed and to be more than a ‘starving artist.’”

Robertson came on board at the end of January and said the time leading up to her first “official” Revel will be challenging.

“For me, I think that it’s that I’m new to event planning, and there are so many moving parts. It’s just making sure that I keep up with everybody else. I think that’s going to be my biggest challenge.

“So far, it has just been exciting. The group here is just awesome. They’re wonderful to work with. I feel like I won the cool job lottery because I get to be a part of putting on this amazing festival, as well as being a part of the other [events]. I pinch myself.”

The 47th Annual Red River Revel Arts Festival is scheduled for Sept. 30– Oct. 8, 2023. For more information, visit https://redriverrevel.com or follow the Revel on Facebook and Instagram at @RedRiverRevel.