Summary : Swain also spearheaded several arts advocacy efforts for national and state funding and policy, led fundraising efforts, oversaw research projects that revealed funding discrepancies for organizations led by people of color and led the organization through the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Arts Council would not exist if it weren’t for the hundreds of artists and creative workers, arts administrators and arts organizations, businesses and collectives in our region, and it has been my greatest honor to work for this community,” Swain said in a release. , the Arts Council board of directors is forming a search committee to begin a national search for the organization’s next leader and develop a transition plan.
Prior to taking on the leadership role at the Arts Council, Swain served as director of shared services for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and executive director for the Jazz Arts Group/Columbus Jazz Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio.
“Mitch set the stage for the Arts Council to grow into an essential leader in arts advocacy and research.
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, a nonprofit organization in the region that provides financial, professional and political support to the region’s arts and culture sector, will soon be searching for a new leader.
Longtime CEO Mitch Swain announced he intends to retire from the position on March 30, 2023.
Swain has led the organization for 17 years, ever since its 2005 creation by the merger of ProArts and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Alliance. During his time at the helm, Swain led the organization through numerous initiatives, directing millions of dollars in private, local, state and federal funds to the arts in Pittsburgh. Swain also spearheaded several arts advocacy efforts for national and state funding and policy, led fundraising efforts, oversaw research projects that revealed funding discrepancies for organizations led by people of color and led the organization through the Covid-19 pandemic.“The Arts Council would not exist if it weren’t for the hundreds of artists and creative workers, arts administrators and arts organizations, businesses and collectives in our region, and it has been my greatest honor to work for this community,” Swain said in a release. “Pittsburgh is a special place for the arts. It’s time for new leadership to usher the Arts Council into a new phase, and I can’t wait to see how our community continues to evolve and thrive.”Currently, the Arts Council board of directors is forming a search committee to begin a national search for the organization’s next leader and develop a transition plan.Prior to taking on the leadership role at the Arts Council, Swain served as director of shared services for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and executive director for the Jazz Arts Group/Columbus Jazz Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio.“Mitch set the stage for the Arts Council to grow into an essential leader in arts advocacy and research. No other entity regionally collects data on the arts economy, which provides essential information to our state and local representatives,” Veronica Morgan-Lee, chair of the board of directors of the Arts Council and director of fund development at Hill Dance Academy Theatre, said in a release. “While we’re sad to see Mitch go, we are grateful for his 17 years of leadership and his persistent advocacy on behalf of the arts. We are dedicated to facilitating a smooth transition for the Arts Council’s staff, members and the community.”
