1968. A self-described generalist, he enjoys the multi-faceted responsibilities of leading a small art museum, which range from installing exhibitions to planning capital campaigns. His curatorial experience covers a subject range, and includes a well-respected Contemporary Music Series, and the popular Erie Art Museum Blues & Jazz Festival at Frontier Park, as well as exhibitions of both contemporary and historical visual arts and crafts.

Among his most recent exhibition projects are: `Archaeology at the Dawn of History', an exploration of biblical archaeology employing objects from a 20-year excavation project at an early Bronze Age site near the Dead Sea; `Electronic Musical Instruments from the Theremin to the Synthesiser', a survey of the objects contributing to the development of electronic music from the early 20th century to the present; and `Once Upon a Picture: The Art of Marc Brown', the first retrospective of the work of Mr. Brown, who is reputedly the most popular living children's illustrator/author in the world, and creator of the Arthur animated film series on PBS.

In 1999, Mr. Vanco organised two major exhibitions, one of which was `From Mickey to The Grinch: Art of Animated Film'.

He serves on a variety of advisory panels for statewide, regional and national arts organisations in the US. He also serves on many community boards and committees, as well as professional organisations.

Married with two sons, Mr. Vanco is also a photographer and founding member of the Northwest Pennsylvania Arts Association. His personal interests include gardening, collecting antiques, and music, especially African-American and new music.