Mitch Swain
Since 2006, Mitch Swain (he/him) has led the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council as its first CEO when the organization emerged from a successful merger. Working with leaders across the state, Mitch spearheads advocacy efforts for national and state funding and policy. He served on the board of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania for 13 years until 2020 and was Board Chair from 2010-2018. His leadership resulted in the creation of a statewide coalition and a first-ever bicameral, bi-partisan Arts & Cultural Legislative Caucus.
As a leader promoting the value of our region’s vast arts and cultural community, Mitch has been elected several times to the United States Urban Arts Federation at Americans for the Arts, and also chaired the host committee for the successful 2013 Americans for the Arts national convention in Pittsburgh. He serves on the board of VisitPittsburgh and is a member of the board of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.
Mitch is formerly Director of Shared Services for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and for 9 years served with the Jazz Arts Group/Columbus Jazz Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio, including as Executive Director. Formerly the General Manager of Columbus Pro Percussion, Mitch is an experienced drummer and plays in a band of all family members. Mitch earned a BS in organizational communications from Ohio University, was a member of Leadership Pittsburgh XXV, was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40, and received a Jefferson Fellowship from the Jefferson Center for the Arts in Columbus.