Greater Columbus Arts Council Names First Public Art Director
Leslie Markle will lead artist engagement and public art projects as the council's first managing director of art in public places.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in People
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The Greater Columbus Arts Council has named Leslie Markle as its first managing director of art in public places, a newly created full-time role. Markle is set to begin the position on January 4.
Why it matters
The position was created to fulfill a goal of the council's Public Art Strategy, which called for a dedicated full-time public art leader in Columbus. The appointment signals a more structured approach to artist partnerships and public art projects in the city.
Markle brings 20 years of public art experience, including 13 years as curator and director for public art at Washington University in St. Louis. The source does not disclose the role's salary or budget.
The players
Leslie Markle
Leslie Markle is a public art administrator with two decades of experience, previously leading public art programs at Washington University in St. Louis and the Arts Council of Long Beach, California.
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Greater Columbus Arts Council is the Columbus, Ohio, nonprofit arts agency that funds and supports local arts programming and developed the city's Public Art Strategy.
Mitch Menchaca
Mitch Menchaca is the president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, having taken the post one year before Markle's appointment.
The details
Markle previously served as director of public art and design for the Arts Council of Long Beach, California. In the new role she will focus on artist engagement, partnerships, and leading public art projects for the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
Timeline
2025: The Greater Columbus Arts Council launched its Public Art Strategy.
January 4: Markle begins her role as managing director of art in public places.
Market Landscape
The Public Art Strategy launched in 2025 set a goal for a full-time public art role, which this appointment fulfills. Dedicated public art leadership positions like this one are how arts councils translate strategic plans into ongoing artist partnerships.
For Columbus residents, the appointment means a dedicated point of contact for artists and public art proposals within the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Individual residents will see the impact through future public art installations rather than any immediate change to services or costs.
The takeaway
Columbus artists and community groups seeking public art partnerships now have a single full-time point of contact at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Following the council's Public Art Strategy goals will show how this role shapes future projects in the city.
What happens next
Markle begins her role on January 4.
Further reading
For more on Columbus leadership changes, see People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WOSU Public Media.
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