Cultural Stadium Names Donna Lasinski Inaugural President

Former Michigan state representative Donna Lasinski will lead the Chicago arts initiative backed by $2 million in private, corporate, and government funds.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Arts Theater — General

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an empty brick storefront with a single potted plant and stool, evoking a vacant downtown space being converted for artists. — Cultural Stadium named former Michigan state representative Donna Lasinski its inaugural president Wednesday, backing a $2 million effort to turn vacant Chicago Loop spaces into artist studios. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Cultural Stadium announced Donna Lasinski as its inaugural president on Wednesday. The initiative, which transforms vacant downtown Chicago spaces into arts programming, is backed by $2 million in private, corporate, and government funds.

Why it matters

The appointment gives the Cultural Stadium project a named leader as it moves from concept to operation in Chicago's Loop. The project aims to expand access to arts and culture for residents across the city.

The Cultural Umbrella pilot, funded by a $50,000 grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, drew more than 400 children and parents to free cultural visits. The source does not report the total operating budget for Cultural Stadium beyond the $2 million in initial backing.

The players

Donna Lasinski

Former Michigan state representative who previously served on the Ann Arbor Public Schools board and founded the education company ThinkStretch, LLC in 2008.

Lou Raizin

President and CEO of Broadway In Chicago, who originated the Cultural Stadium idea.

Cultural Stadium

Chicago arts initiative aiming to transform vacant downtown spaces into artist studios and cultural programming.

The details

Lasinski, a former Michigan state representative, has served as the project's senior adviser since April. The Cultural Stadium concept was created by Lou Raizin, president and CEO of Broadway In Chicago, and envisions converting vacant retail and office spaces into affordable artist studios and a year-long rent-free residency program called "The Community."

April: Lasinski became senior adviser to Cultural Stadium.
November 4, 2026: Lasinski was announced as inaugural president.
March 2027: Permanent debut of the Poetry Way digital display is scheduled.

Industry Dynamics

The appointment extends the Cultural Umbrella pilot, which offered free days at The Joffrey Ballet, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Children's Theatre, and Adler Planetarium, into a sustained initiative. It also follows the Poetry Way digital display, created by the Poetry Foundation and the Joffrey Ballet, which launched in October during the Chicago Loop Alliance Arts Fest.

Chicagoans may gain access to free cultural programming and affordable artist studios as Cultural Stadium develops its downtown spaces. The Poetry Way digital display in the alley between Joffrey Tower and the Chicago Theatre is slated for a permanent debut in March 2027.

The takeaway

Cultural Stadium's leadership appointment signals a move from planning toward execution for downtown Chicago's arts spaces. Residents interested in free or affordable cultural access should watch for the rollout of its programming.