That action item was at the top of Ed Camp's "to-do" list when he took the job as executive director of The ArtsCenter in Carrboro on July 24.

He wasted no time and has met with ArtsCenter instructors, major donors, parents of children in ArtsCenter programs, and Carrboro merchants.

"I wanted to learn what their experience has been and what they want," Camp said.

He wants to meet you, too. On Nov. 13, during the monthly 2nd Friday Artwalk from 6 to 9 p.m., the public is invited to come to The ArtsCenter, 300-G E. Main St., and talk with Camp.

"I will tell attendees about the ArtsCenter's vision, dispel rumors, ask about their experiences with the ArtsCenter and how they want it to be different," Camp said.

That information will be used to help form the Arts-Center's strategic plan.

He said that many people he's talked to only know about the small part of the ArtsCenter they have personally taken advantage of.

"We offer almost everything," Camp said. "There are very few art centers nationally that offer education, performance and exhibition. It is an amazing place."

Camp has a contagious joie de vivre. Dan Shannon, who joined the ArtsCenter Board nine months ago and was on the executive director search committee, said that people are gathering around the enthusiasm Camp is generating.

"We interviewed a lot of good candidates," said Shannon, who is the publisher and editorial director of Chapel Hill Magazine. "What most impressed me about Ed is that he is smart, honest and a hard worker."

Shannon said that even before Camp applied for the position he had made a strong, positive impression with Arts-Center staff as he worked closely with them in his previous job, as general manager at University Mall. The two institutions collaborated earlier this year to open a venue for ArtsCenter classes at the mall.

"He is the kind of guy I want on my team," Shannon said.

Camp grew up in Madison, got his bachelor's degree in journalism and advertising at UNC and has spent the last 25 years in shopping center marketing and management. His professional background is complemented by a lifetime of volunteering with nonprofit groups, many of them focusing on arts advocacy.

He said he jumped at the chance to take over the reins of The ArtsCenter when former director Jon Wilner retired.

"There is empirical evidence that the arts are important in making people, children more well-rounded," he said. "Children who are involved in the arts, their test scores are higher and their abilities to work in a collaborative situation are better."

He has done community theater, playing supporting roles in comedies, which he loves, and has sung in church choirs.

"I love the children's program here, and I'm a Broadway fanatic," Camp said. "I love live theater -- the combination of all that is here at The ArtsCenter."

He said he'd heard a rumor that The ArtsCenter would be torn down as part of the redevelopment of the 300 East Main Street property. That's not going to happen, he said.

"We own our own building and will be here as long as we want to be," Camp said.

In his efforts to connect with the community about The ArtsCenter, Camp said he recently met a woman at a retirement home.

"She didn't realize she was creative until she took a class at The ArtsCenter and realized she had that talent in her," Camp said. "That is what I hope we do with everyone -- give them an opportunity to discover their own creativity."