CARRBORO - Ed Camp had never seen a performance at The ArtsCenter before the play "A Child's Christmas in Wales" last winter.

In about 10 days, he'll be running it.

"I guess the planets aligned," said Camp, who will leave his job as general manager of University Mall Aug. 21 to become the ArtsCenter's new executive director.

"I told the board I felt the The ArtsCenter is the cultural soul of the area."

Camp was one of four finalists, said outgoing executive director Jon Wilner, who will stay on through September in an advisory role. Wilner collaborated with Camp recently, leasing space in University Mall for an ArtsCenter satellite.

"Ed Camp is a very compassionate person," Wilner said. "I've seen the way he negotiates with people. He always tries to see things from the other person's point of view."

Camp isn't ready to lay out any plans. He wants to spend the next few months talking with staff about their goals for The ArtsCenter, now struggling like many nonprofits in the recession.

The center's budget went from $1.6 million to $1.4 million last year and may drop further in the current fiscal year. Wilner recently laid off a part-time outreach worker.

At the same time, The ArtsCenter wants to eventually launch a major fundraising campaign to renovate its 300 E. Main St. space. The shopping center is going to be turned into a hotel and several multi-story buildings. The ArtsCenter owns its half of the building that also houses Amante Gourmet Pizza, Visart Video and Cat's Cradle.

"It's a tough time for any business," said Camp. "The great thing about The ArtsCenter is so many people are affected in a positive way by what they do."

Camp, 51, is a native of Madison, N.C. His mother was a factory worker and his father owned an electronics appliance business. He's run the mall since May 2008, after Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette bought it, and has been in the shopping center business for 27 years, he said. He graduated from the UNC journalism school with a degree in advertising.

"How I got into the arts from there I don't know," he said in an interview from Key West, Fla., where he was vacationing with his 18-year-old daughter. "I have a lot of respect for creativity."

Under Camp, the mall has become an arts spot. Earlier this year it held "Scrapel Hill," an exhibit of art made from recycled objects.

"He was very instrumental in making that happen and in finding the funds to make that happen," said Jeffrey York, public art administrator for the Town of Chapel Hill. "That seems to be his strong suit."

Camp has won four MAXI Awards, a marketing honor from the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Karen Maytnier, vice president for project management at Madison Marquette, said he was key in carrying out the company's goals for University Mall.

"I think what he brought to the mall is also what he's going to bring to the ArtsCenter, which is his passion for the community," Maytnier said. "He has really helped created the vision."

Wilner ran the ArtsCenter for six years, doubling its budget and adding a youth performing arts conservatory and other programs. He announced he was stepping down earlier this year after heart surgery and other health problems.

He said he's confident The ArtsCenter has chosen well.

"My real strength has always been developing the programs and finding the right people to run those programs," he said. "What I think The ArtsCenter needed was someone to take those programs and successfully market them. And I think Ed is the right person to do that."