The Power of the Arts in a Changing City: A Conversation with GCAC's Mitch Menchaca

Join us for a candid 1:1 conversation with Mitch Menchaca, the newly appointed CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, as he shares his unexpected journey from the stages of Arizona to leading arts policy in Phoenix—to now shaping the creative future of Columbus. Once a visitor who thought there might be “nothing to do” in Columbus, Mitch returns to a transformed city he’s fallen in love with, ready to build on GCAC’s momentum at a time of challenge and opportunity. With decades of national leadership experience, a passion for public art, and a vision for equitable cultural investment in every neighborhood, we’ll explore how the arts can drive Columbus’ economic vitality, create community identity, and deepen everyday civic life.

Whether you’re an artist, a business leader, a policymaker, or just someone who cares about the cultural future of Columbus, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Featuring Mitch Menchaca, President and CEO, The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), with moderator Sophia Fifner, President and CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Club.

If you would like to dive more deeply into this topic, our friends at the Columbus Metropolitan Library suggest checking out What Art Does: an Unfinished Theory, by Brian Eno, 2025.