The Greater Columbus Arts Council’s (GCAC) board of trustees has selected Mitch Menchaca to lead the organization as the next president and CEO.

Menchaca has served as the Arts and Culture director for the city of Phoenix since 2018. A fierce advocate for the arts, an innovative fundraiser who understands the importance of diverse revenue streams and a philanthropic leader, Menchaca has held executive roles at Americans for the Arts, the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, Chorus America, and served as the interim director of the Phoenix Public Library.

Menchaca serves as vice chair for Latinos LEAD in Los Angeles, is a member of the national board of the League of American Orchestras and is a board member of the Arizona Community Foundation. He was awarded a 2024 Leader of the Year Award in Public Policy by the Arizona Capitol Times.

“GCAC is a vital resource and partner to the city of Columbus and Franklin County, providing not only support for the arts and culture sector but also opportunities for all residents,” Menchaca said.

“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.”

An Arizona native, Menchaca relocated from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., in 2009 to manage the Local Arts Advancement Department at Americans for the Arts, where he guided a team of professionals serving and advancing the nation’s 4,500 local arts agencies, including GCAC. Menchaca returned to Arizona in 2018 and has served as the Arts and Culture director for the city of Phoenix, leading the city’s cultural investment efforts, which include an annual grants program for artists and organizations, a portfolio of cultural facilities, a robust public art program, and helped sustain the arts sector with more than $12 million in COVID-19 relief funds during the pandemic.

Menchaca will replace Tom Katzenmeyer, who announced his retirement last year and has elevated GCAC and the arts in central Ohio for more than a decade. Under Katzenmeyer’s leadership, GCAC achieved a dramatic increase in financial support and public appreciation of central Ohio organizations and artists. Working with BeecherHill, GCAC led a comprehensive national search that attracted interest from outstanding candidates in central Ohio and around the nation. Menchaca will begin his tenure at GCAC on Dec. 3, 2025.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mitch Menchaca as our new president and CEO,” said Jim Negron, chair of the GCAC board of trustees.

“His leadership and commitment to the arts will be vital as we continue to enrich Columbus’ cultural landscape. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Tom Katzenmeyer for more than 12 years of dedicated service, which have greatly elevated GCAC and our arts community. Together, we look forward to inspiring creativity and fostering collaboration in our city.”

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url