Argo Thompson

Argo Thompson of Santa Rosa, executive director of the Marin Arts Council for the past three years, was laid off Tuesday by the council’s board of directors.

The board announced it was eliminating the executive director position because of budget cuts. The Arts Council plans to focus on its Marin Open Studios program, which invites the public into artists’ studios.

Thompson said he was proud of moving the council’s offices into an exhibit and performance venue in downtown San Rafael and establishing a comprehensive local cultural arts calendar online.

Thomspon, 44, who was founding executive director and later artistic director of the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa from 2005 to 2008, said he doesn’t know yet what he’ll do next.

“I have a couple of interviews for jobs and I’m doing some consulting for a couple of nonprofits,” he said.

Thompson still lives in Santa Rosa, and plans to direct David Sedaris’ one-man show “Santaland Diaries,” starring actor David Yen, for the fourth year in a row. The show opens in December at the Spreckels Center for the Performing Arts in Rohnert Park.

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