DALLAS (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The AT&T Performing Arts Center has selected Mark J. Weinstein as their President and Chief Executive Officer.
A veteran arts exec with nearly three decades of experience, Weinstein has lead leading some of the country's top performing arts organizations, including Washington National Opera, resident company of the Kennedy Center; the Pittsburgh Opera, a constituent of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust; and New York City Opera, in residence at Lincoln Center. Weinstein begins his new role at the AT&T PAC on June 1, 2011.
The Center's interim CEO, Doug Curtis, will return to his previous position of Senior Vice President and General Manager, where he oversees all aspects of the Center's operations.
Prior to joining the AT&T PAC, Weinstein spent two years as the Executive Director of the Washington National Opera, alongside Artistic Director Placido Domingo. During his tenure, Weinstein launched "Opera in the Outfield," a series of live simulcasts at National Stadium of the Opera's opening night performances, broadcast for free through a partnership with Target and Rolex.
Weinstein also guided the Opera from five years of red ink to two consecutive years of operating in the black, raising more than $20 million each year. He also laid the groundwork for a consolidation of administrative operations with the Kennedy Center for a cost-saving measure.
Weinstein also spent 11 years (1997-2008) at the head of the Pittsburgh Opera, where he helped to both improve artistic quality and the company's bottom line. He also oversaw the merger of four different arts organizations in the city into the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and staged the first National Performing Arts Convention in the city in 2004.
Prior to Pittsburgh, Weinstein spent thirteen years (1983-1996) with New York City Opera, serving as Executive Director for the last three.
The AT&T Performing Arts Center first opened in 2009, and features four separate venues, including the 2,200-cap Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House; the 600-cap Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre; the adjustable format City Performance Hall and the outdoor Annette Strauss Square, with lawn seating for 5,000. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
