LEWISTON – L/A Arts Executive Director Richard Willing will step down from his post at the end of this month.

“I’ve been suffering the need for change for a while, and the board is beginning to restructure the organization,” Willing said Wednesday. “I think that makes a pretty good time to bring in a new person to lead.”

Willing has served as head of the organization for 14 years. He said he made his decision to quit in June.

“The board is looking to make the organization work more like a local arts agency and less like a presenter,” Willing said. “I’ve been a part of that, in that I have been there to give advice and information. The plan has been fairly well accepted by the board.”

Willing said his decision did not have to do with delays on the planned renovation of L/A Arts’ new office building at 84 Lisbon St., next to Courthouse Plaza. Renovations initially were expected to wrap up a year ago. L/A Arts has been promoting a $2 million fund-raising campaign since the project was announced in August 2001.

“That is definitely behind schedule,” Willing said. He declined to say how far behind the group is in its fund-raising efforts. He deferred to L/A Arts board Chairman Jon Oxman who could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Willing said his decision to leave was personal. After 14 years, many in the community associate the organization with him.

“And that’s not the way it should be,” Willing said. “L/A Arts is the staff and the board of directors and the entire community. I think it’s time to re-establish that.”

He expects the board of directors to begin advertising for a replacement.

Willing said he does not have a new job lined up. He plans to look for public relations work in the Lewiston-Auburn and Portland areas.