Ordway Center President Patricia A. Mitchell to Retire

Patricia A. Mitchell, president and CEO of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, today announced her retirement at the end of 2015.

"I've enjoyed nearly 50 wonderful years in arts management," Mitchell said. "My past eight years leading this world-class cultural institution has been the pinnacle of my career and the thrill of a lifetime."

With the completion of the Ordway's new Concert Hall earlier this year and on the heels of the 30th anniversary season, Mitchell said that now was the right time to step down. "The Concert Hall required a major effort over many years by many people. Soon the Ordway board will unveil an ambitious roadmap for the next ten years, and whatever opportunities lie ahead will require the same kind of effort that should be led from start to finish by a new president."

Bob Cattanach, chair of the Ordway board of directors, hailed Mitchell's accomplishments. "Patricia has been a transformational and strong leader, and she will be greatly missed at the helm. She refreshed artistic programming to be more relevant and appealing to our broader community. Her drive and collaborative spirit helped invigorate relationships among the four organizations which comprise the Arts Partnership: the Ordway, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Schubert Club and Minnesota Opera-a national model for how arts organizations can thrive together. Her tenure at the Ordway has been remarkable."

Mitchell has held the position since August 2007. Prior to joining the Ordway, Mitchell held executive positions with the San Francisco Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl, and served as community relations director for the Guthrie Theater, among other positions. In Saint Paul, she has served on the Cultural STAR board for the city, and on the board of Visit Saint Paul, of which she is the immediate past chair.

Cattanach said that the board will begin a national search for the Ordway's next president.