As we reported last week, The ArtsCenter has a new executive director, Ed Camp, who has been the general manager of University Mall for the past year.

Camp’s return to Chapel Hill is something of a homecoming – he graduated from UNC’s School of Journalism in 1980 and has spent the past 26 years in the shopping center business, moving around to “too many places to list.”

His new job starts Aug. 24. We spoke today about his new gig, his love of the arts and how he feels to leave the mall.

Were you a big supporter of the ArtsCenter prior to this new job?

I’ve only been back in Chapel Hill since May of last year. When I started at University Mall, we started doing community support projects of different types… One of the things we’ve been working on is getting a satellite of the ArtsCenter at the mall [which will open in September]. I’ve always been a supporter of the arts.

Are you artistic?

I’m creative; I wouldn’t call myself an artist. My background is more on the marketing and copywriting side. I get my creativity from my mother. But it would be a stretch to call myself an artist.

What made you decide to go after this job?

I love Chapel Hill. When I came back here, hopefully to stay, one of the things I wanted to do was make a significant contribution to the community. I’ve always been a big supporter of the arts. When I was in Charleston [for four years prior to returning to Chapel Hill], I learned how important arts education is for children. I think the planets just aligned for me to take this position.

I didn’t realize you had been in the shopping center business for so long. This is really a big career change.

It’s applying the skills and interests and talent I have to a new situation, but something that I feel very passionate about. Arts are an important part of any community, and they’re an important part of business development. When companies think about moving to a community, one of the things they ask is, "How is the arts community?" Arts and business are tied together.

This is a tough year for everyone. How will you guide this nonprofit through the recession?

The great thing about the ArtsCenter is it has a tremendous amount of support in the community. ... It’s touched the lives of so many families. … The area will embrace what we’re wanting to do -- taking the ArtsCenter to a different level. But every business is challenged right now.

What does that mean, taking it to a different level?

I’m going to spend the next 30 days talking to the board and talking to the people we serve and to the team members at the ArtsCenter. I’ll ask them what their vision is. And then I’ll create a development plan for the future. I think it’s premature until I get in there and talk to all those people. But I do think the ArtsCenter can play a bigger role in the community.

Who will lead the mall?

They’re searching right now, and I know they will find someone that will a do a wonderful job there.

Can you tell me a little bit more about the deal between the mall and the ArtsCenter? The ArtsCenter is using some space in the mall starting next month?

We’ll be having classes there -- dance classes and some art classes. It’s going to be in an empty storefront across from The Print Shop. We’re going to be doing some concerts there that we’ll be working on in the fall. Part of my attraction to the [executive director] job was being on the other side of the table in bringing that to fruition.

Any sadness about leaving University Mall?

I think any transition is good and bad -- always you miss the people you work with. They’re a great group -- just a wonderful group of professionals. But I’m going to a great group as well. … Great things come to you when you least expect them. This is not something I expected when I came back to Chapel Hill. But I’m excited.