McAninch Arts Center at COD Announces New Director Diana Martinez

College of DuPage has announced that McAninch Arts Center (MAC) Interim Director DiAna Martinez has been named Director of the MAC. This announcement is effective immediately. Since September 2013, Martinez has served as the MAC's Interim Director following the departure of former MAC Director Stephen Cummins, who left the MAC in July 2013 to take a position at California State University, Chico.

Says Martinez, "I am extremely honored to join the MAC team. Over these past five months as Interim Director I have had the chance to experience first-hand the impressive commitment and dedication of the College and the MAC's staff and patrons, and the investment that COD President Dr. Robert Breuder has demonstrated in creating a first class arts center for DuPage County. I am excited about what lies ahead for the MAC."

The national search was conducted over five months by a search committee led by Daniel E. Lloyd, Ph.D. Dean of Liberal Arts, College of DuPage. The search provided an opportunity to review qualified candidates with proven management experience in the performing arts, and strong planning and leadership skills that will carry the MAC forward.

"Diana's vision and creativity coupled with her skill in strategic planning and track record for delivering results makes her the ideal choice for the MAC," says Lloyd. "We were especially fortunate to find those qualities in someone who resides in our community and understands the important role the MAC plays in the life of our residents, as well as the greater Chicago area."

Martinez, a native of (Glen Ellyn) Chicago's western suburbs, has an extensive resume of arts management experience including The Second City, where she oversaw operations in Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles and was a lead producer on the Second City's 50th Anniversary events; the Aurora Civic Center Authority & Paramount Theater, where she spearheaded the implementation of the strategic plan and execution of a $6.5 million lobby addition; and Pheasant Run Resort, where she directed and produced more than 50 musical Theater Productions.

Martinez spent the last year developing her own consulting company, DLM Creative, where she handled projects for The Auditorium Theatre and Broadway in Chicago, and facilitated more than 30 workshops and keynotes focused on improving creativity, collaboration and innovation for companies in the medical and manufacturing industries as well as international non-profit organizations. She is also a certified speaker for the National Speakers Association.

Her honors include Woman of Distinction Award in 2003, Influential Women in Business Award 2002, and 2003 Today's Young Executive Award by the Business Ledger. Her history of civic involvement includes serving on the Board for the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce, and Choose Chicago. Martinez currently serves on the boards for Vistage International and The League of Chicago Theatres and was appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the Cultural Advisory Board for the City of Chicago.

"College of DuPage strives to be the first place area residents turn to for the highest quality cultural opportunities," says Dr. Robert L. Breuder, President, College of DuPage. "The MAC needs a director with a keen appreciation of that goal, and Diana's experience and civic involvements illustrate an enduring personal commitment to community, culture and excellence."

McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, Ill. is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355 and houses three performance spaces (the 800-seat proscenium Performance Hall, previously known as the Mainstage; the 184-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre, formerly called Theatre 2; and the versatile 70-seat black box Studio Theatre), plus the new Cleve Carney Art Gallery, classrooms for the college's academic programming and the 1,200 capacity outdoor Patio Stage. This unique facility has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 75,000 patrons annually from the greater Chicago area.

The MAC began a 14-month, $35 million renovation in fall 2012 to update its three performance spaces, construct a new art gallery and outdoor patio stage, and make improvements to the infrastructure, teaching and learning spaces and patron service areas. The MAC completed its renovation in December 2013 and officially opens its doors to the public with a series of 2014 Grand Opening Events, culminating with the MAC Madness Celebration on March 8. The MAC renovation was funded as part of the $168 million referendum that voters of District 502 passed in November 2010.

The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information about the MAC, visit AtTheMAC.org. You can also learn more about the MAC on Facebook at facebook.com/AtTheMAC or on twitter at twitter.com/AtTheMAC.

McAninch Arts Center (MAC) is supported in part by the College of DuPage Foundation. Established as a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit cod.edu/foundation or call 630.942.3008.

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