1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 This candid 1:1 conversation features 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. Featuring: Mitch Menchaca, President and CEO, The Greater Columbus Arts Council The host is Sophia Fifner, President and CEO, The Columbus Metropolitan Club. This forum was made possible by Carol A. McGuire Legacy in Civic Engagement Fund — Celebrating Arts and Culture. It was sponsored by CK Construction and The Columbus Museum of Art. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum. If you would like to keep exploring this week’s forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading &quot;What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory,&quot; by Brian Eno (2025). This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on March 18, 2026. The Columbus Metropolitan Club http://columbusmetroclub.org <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40447130/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/199618035