A former corporate executive has been named interim executive director of the Lawrence Arts Center.

June Jones started in the role Monday, the day after 33-year director Ann Evans retired.

Jones, who has been on the Arts Center’s board of directors since 2004, said she hoped her interim role will allow a search committee time to find the right person for the job.

“It’s an extraordinary place with extraordinary programs,” Jones said. “We’re in a period of transition, and this will allow us to give the attention to getting the best possible person for the role.”

Most recently, Jones served as director of global workplace initiatives and diversity outreach at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Previously, she served as senior vice president for corporate employee relations at First Interstate Bancorporation, based in Los Angeles.

Jones is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

“It’s not just a caretaking responsibility,” said Michael Maude, president of the center’s board of directors. “She has considerable human resource experience, so we anticipate she’ll take a very active role in our human resources and obviously, a very active role in recruitment of a new executive director.”

A 12-member search committee, chaired by local architect Dan Sabatini, has begun meeting to hire a new director. Maude said he expected the job to be posted in late February and hoped to have a new director on board by Aug. 1, when the center starts its fiscal year.

He said it would be a national search, though ties to the Lawrence area could be important as well. A background in the arts is essential, he said, adding, “We’re not going to be looking for a business manager.”

Evans, who announced her retirement in November, helped oversee growth at the center, including a move from the former Carnegie Library at Ninth and Vermont streets to its building at 940 N.H. The center grew from offering 20 classes enrolling 240 students annually to 450 classes enrolling 8,500 students.

“We obviously want to build on what Ann has been able to do here over the last 33 years,” Maude said, “and so that’s obviously to continue taking an active role in promoting the arts and the Arts Center in the community, as well as throughout the region.”

He said plans to add a digital media laboratory and develop a video program will continue through Jones’ tenure as interim director.

Work on the center’s vision statement and goals also will continue, he said.

“We’re not stopping that process, but we don’t want to have it cast in concrete either,” Maude said. “We want this person (the new director) to have an active role in shaping that strategic plan.”