Recently, The Marcus Performing Arts Center announced that it has hired Marquette University alum Kevin Giglinto as its new president and CEO.
Giglinto returns to Milwaukee with a wealth of arts organization experience under his belt, including stints with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and, most recently, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. where he has served as senior VP of marketing and as chief strategy officer.
“I’ve seen Milwaukee evolve and recognize the instrumental role Marcus Performing Arts Center continues to play in the changing cultural landscape of the city,” said Giglinto upon the announcement.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the organization as its new president and CEO, alongside the established Board and strong leadership team.”
Giglinto is expected to begin here in late July, and we asked him about his past experience, his relationship with Milwaukee and what he sees as the biggest assets and challenges at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
OnMilwaukee: We have to start with this: you aren't from Milwaukee, but you have a connection, right?
Kevin Giglinto: That’s right – I attended Marquette University, and I’ve been lucky enough to call ââthe Midwest my home for most of my life. I’ve been living in Chicago for over 30 years but will be buying a new home in Milwaukee in the coming months.
Since graduating from Marquette, I’ve regularly visited Milwaukee several times a year for concerts, shows and to visit friends, and I’m excited to come back and make it my home once again.
Thinking back to your time here at MU, what are some of your favorite things about Milwaukee?
I love Milwaukee. I don’t know any Marquette grads that don’t have the same affinity and affection for Milwaukee as I do. What I love in particular is the rich, robust, vibrant artistic community.
I’ve seen the city evolve and recognize the instrumental role Marcus Performing Arts Center and other outstanding theaters and arts institutions continue to play in the cultural landscape of Milwaukee.
I know you have a long resume, but maybe you can tell us a bit about the previous experience that led you here?
For the past 25 years, I’ve worked with some of the country’s most prominent performing arts institutions to build organizational strategy and engage diverse audiences. I’m coming to MPAC from the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and previously I was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
In both roles, I focused on two things: building deep, meaningful relationships with audiences to engage people with art, and raising the organizations’ profile and prominence on a national and international level.
I’m excited to bring this experience to support MPAC’s goal of becoming more open and welcoming for the entire community and strengthening our position as a premier arts destination.
What are the biggest challenges at the Marcus Center in this post-pandemic era, and how do you envision meeting those?
Arts organizations have learned a lot over the past few years, and we’re seeing venues and organizations adapt to the changing landscape of performing arts. This isn’t unique to Milwaukee – organizations across the country are adjusting programming or business strategies to adapt.
The key to success for all arts organizations will be continuing to find ways to connect with and serve the community in a meaningful way. Audiences have so many choices, and while we’re bringing audiences back, we have to continue offering diverse programming to attract and retain our patrons and subscribers.
Thankfully, Marcus Performing Arts Center has a long history of stability and success. Our Broadway lineup continues to shine with sold out performances, and MPAC Presents programming and anchor arts organizations, including the Milwaukee Ballet Company, Florentine Opera Company, Black Arts MKE and First Stage, offer a lot for the community to enjoy.
On the other hand, what do you see as its biggest assets going forward and how can you maximize them?
It is clear that the future of the Marcus Performing Arts Center has never been stronger or brighter. One thing that really impressed me was MPAC’s REDI initiatives (racial equity, diversity and inclusion) and the organization’s commitment to embracing REDI in all areas – from programming to staffing to board representation. The REDI initiative is a strength of the organization and will continue to be a priority moving forward.
Another asset for MPAC is the new community gathering space that physically brings people together and makes everyone feel welcome. Our location could not be any better, and the city’s own development plan in this area shows the central role the cultural district will continue to play moving forward. As MPAC enters its first season with its newly renovated outdoor grounds, we’re thrilled to be welcoming some amazing performances and art installations this summer and can’t wait to see how the community embraces the new space.
Personally, I can’t wait to see the “Evanescent” immersive art installation next month at Rainbow Summer. This internationally touring installation will be at the MPAC Outdoor Grounds from July 18 to July 22, along with five nights of free, family-friendly public performances. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
