Donna Galluzzo is working on a new ending to her story.

The executive director of Portland’s Salt Institute for Documentary Studies is leaving the school after 15 years. Salt trains storytellers in photography, new media and writing. It enrolls about 25 students per semester.

Galluzzo informed the Salt board of her plans late last week.

“I’m tired and I’m exhausted – but in a good way,” Galluzzo said Wednesday. “I’m a big believer in change. I’ve spent 15 years here and a dozen at the helm. It’s been a long, beautiful ride.”

Galluzzo’s ascent at Salt began as a student in 1997. During her time as executive director, she helped the school transition into digital technologies. In addition to relocating from an Exchange Street building to its current space on Congress Street that houses a suite of classrooms and gallery, the school has secured student housing and refined its programs to meet market needs and adjust to changing technologies.

Among Galluzzo’s tasks in the months ahead is the further refinement of the curriculum to reflect new storytelling techniques that de-emphasize long-form writing. “We want to honor the writing component and respond to the marketplace at the same time,” she said.

Galluzzo, 52, plans to stay in Portland. She will remain with Salt until early September to assist with the summer intensive program and the beginning of the fall semester.

Salt board president Kimberly Curry said the search for Galluzzo’s replacement would begin as soon as possible. The new executive director will be “forward thinking and visionary” and capable of keeping Salt nimble enough to adapt to the times, Curry said. “The field is changing so rapidly. As we educate future storytellers, there are rules that aren’t even written yet that we have to be aware of,” she said.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.