The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) has announced Leslie Markle as its first ever managing director of art in public places. He is set to begin his new role on Jan. 4.
Originally from New York, Markle brings more than 20 years of public art leadership experience. His role at the GCAC comes after 13 years as the curator and director for public art at Washington University in St. Louis. Before that, Markle served as the director of public art and design for the Arts Council of Long Beach, California.
"We have tremendous people here in Columbus, who are working in public art but we also really wanted to find someone who had a depth of experience in a variety of situations and a variety of different kinds of environments and we found that in Leslie Markle," Jami Goldstein, GCAC's chief strategy officer, said.
The GCAC launched its Public Art Strategy, Columbus' first plan to expand and fund public arts across neighborhoods deprived of it, in 2025. Goldstein said Markle's role will help reach the strategy's goals.
"One of the goals of the strategy was that we would have a full-time person who woke up every day thinking about public art, and so that is what led to developing the role," Goldstein said. "There are many reasons to invest in public art for any community and we're behind every single one of them and we just want to make sure that we've got someone who is focused on that every day."
To bridge the gaps in Columbus' public art, Markle's role will be centered on artist engagement, partnerships and leading public art projects.
"There are a tremendous number of things that just have to be done, and one of those is artist outreach and engaging the local community," Goldstein said. "Leslie really is the full package. He's going to bring such tremendous experience and knowledge and really he's a kind and compassionate person. And I know that our community is going to embrace him and his efforts in this program."
Markle's appointment comes a year after Mitch Menchaca stepped in as the GCAC's president and CEO. Goldstein said new leadership and experience from other communities will promote excitement and knowledge.
"Columbus is growing and changing and GCAC is growing and changing along with it," Goldstein said.
