The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) announced its next president and CEO as longtime leader Tom Katzenmeyer retires from the role.
Mitch Menchaca will assume leadership of the organization on Dec. 3 after being selected from a national candidate search.
“I am excited to step in, build on GCAC’s current momentum, expand programs and services, and grow resources for the organization and the field to continue championing the arts and the community,” Menchaca said in the release.
Prior to relocating to Columbus to lead the central Ohio arts organization, Menchaca has held other executive roles. He has worked with Americans for the Arts, the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, Chorus America and the Phoenix Public Library.
Since 2018, he has served as the Arts and Culture director for the city of Phoenix, where he helped sustain the arts sector with more than $12 million in COVID-19 relief funds during the pandemic.
Alongside his work for the Phoenix community, the Arizona Capitol Times awarded Menchaca a 2024 Leader of the Year Award in Public Policy.
The search for GCAC’s new CEO began in November 2024, after Katzenmeyer announced his retirement. He steps away from the organization after 12 years at its helm.
Reporter Sophia Veneziano may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Greater Columbus Arts Council names new president and CEO
Reporting by Sophia Veneziano, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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