Catlin Whitington has been selected by the ArtPrize 2.0 Steering Committee to grow ArtPrize 2.0 to new heights as its new executive director.
In his current role as vice president of campus operations for Austin’s Long Center for the Performing Arts, Whitington has managed all aspects of event and facility operations and has championed public engagement and access for the performing arts.
Tara McCrackin, president of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) and a member of the ArtPrize 2.0 Steering Committee, said “Catlin joins ArtPrize 2.0 with a well-established track record in planning and executing public arts events and developing both community and industry partnerships.”
Prior to joining the leadership of Long Center, Whitington was planning manager for the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals in Austin, Texas. Whitington’s tenure at SXSW saw a marked increase in both attendance and the resultant impact to the local economy, which grew from approximately $110 million in 2010 to over $350 million, annually today. His role with SXSW focused on planning, logistics and execution of this cutting-edge, annual event spanning technology, film, education and music. He also focused on community relationships, working in close partnership with the City of Austin on planning and execution to help ensure diverse and vibrant programming. His role included negotiation of agreements between agencies, venues and production companies for engagements with global talent and brands.
Whitington also served as chairperson of the Austin Tourism Commission from 2018 to 2021, is a founding member of Music Makes Austin, a public policy advocacy organization, and currently serves as an advisor to the Austin Hotel and Lodging Association.
“Our new executive director, Catlin Whitington, is the right person at the right time to move ArtPrize 2.0 forward,” said Mark Washington, Grand Rapids city manager and ArtPrize 2.0 steering committee chairperson. “Catlin’s work with SXSW and The Long Center in Austin, Texas, are exactly the type of event-based, distinctive, culture-building experiences we were looking for to build an enduring future for ArtPrize 2.0 here in Grand Rapids. In 2019, SXSW created a record-breaking economic impact of over $355 million for Austin’s economy. Please join us in welcoming Catlin to our community and supporting his work on behalf of ArtPrize 2.0.”
Whitington expressed his enthusiasm in accepting this new role and challenge. “ArtPrize remains unique in the art world and has become an enduring cultural touchstone for Grand Rapids and for Grand Rapidians,” he said. “My role is to work with the community to innovate and build on that legacy and to grow ArtPrize to its full potential as an immersive community experience, cultural inspiration and economic force.”
Whitington noted that his interest in ArtPrize started more than five years ago, when his wife, Liz, served as a panelist for the 2D and Installation segment of ArtPrize’s “Why These Finalists” in 2017. “For us, this isn’t just about ArtPrize. We fell in love with the Grand Rapids community and are looking forward to connecting and raising our family here.”
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said that the executive director hire is exciting, as it is another step forward in the future of Art Prize.
“The past work of the founders, sponsors, artists, and donors has built a strong foundation that provides a tremendous opportunity for the future of ArtPrize,” Mayor Bliss said. “We are so thankful to the founders for their dedication to nurturing this radical concept to the point where it can be gifted to our community. We expect Catlin will help us harness the sense of wonder and discovery ArtPrize creates for visitors, and build on the sense of challenge, opportunity, and community it can create for artists and supporters of the arts.”
