Arts Council of Indianapolis Names Julie Goodman President and CEO

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 11, 2019 – The Arts Council of Indianapolis (ACI) Board of Directors has appointed Julie Goodman as President and CEO following a national search led by Arts Consulting Group. Goodman will join…

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 11, 2019 – The Arts Council of Indianapolis (ACI) Board of Directors has appointed Julie Goodman as President and CEO following a national search led by Arts Consulting Group. Goodman will join ACI March 4.

Goodman most recently served as senior vice president of marketing communications for the Indianapolis-based national nonprofit Strada Education Network. She brings more than two decades of nonprofit, arts management, philanthropic, and corporate leadership experience to ACI.

“The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Julie as we begin this new chapter for ACI. Her expertise in communications, marketing, community engagement, and fundraising is crucial to promoting our deep commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity as we pursue our mission of nurturing a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive,” said ACI Board Chair Ted Givens. “We are excited to introduce Julie to our community partners and the artists and arts organizations we serve in the coming weeks.”

ACI board and search committee members cited Goodman’s proven dedication to the power of the arts to transform communities, along with her coalition-building experience and dedication to diversity and inclusion, as qualities that stood out during the national search process. According to Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of Indiana Humanities and ACI search committee member, “Julie brings tremendous experience and deep skills in strategic communications and in creating strong collaborative partnerships in the communities she’s served. Her expertise and passion for the arts will benefit Indianapolis and ACI going forward.”

Prior to moving to Indianapolis to assume responsibilities with Strada Education Network, Goodman spent more than 25 years advocating for the arts through staff and board leadership roles with numerous Cincinnati organizations including Cincinnati Opera, ArtWorks (responsible for the city’s public art program), MUSE Women’s Choir, Madcap Puppets, the Chamber Music Society, and Linton Music Series. She also served as an arts organization liaison and representative for the region’s arts agency, ArtsWave.

Goodman began her career consulting for nonprofit and national consumer brand clients with a large, regional public relations firm. She led marketing for Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (similar to Downtown Indy, Inc.), and managed corporate communications for Luxottica North America where she was promoted to lead global communications and fundraising for its OneSight foundation. Goodman moved back to Indianapolis in 2017 to build the communications strategy and shared services team for Strada Education Network, a national social impact organization headquartered downtown.

“I am honored to join ACI’s Board of Directors, staff, and partners in this important work. Their commitment to ensuring that Indianapolis has a cultural community where artists and arts organizations thrive is critical to our region’s current and continued success,” Goodman said. “ACI has an impressive history of innovation and results, a strong operating model and strategic plan, and a talented team with a desire to continue to increase the organization’s impact. I’m excited to have the opportunity to help advance ACI’s mission in service to my hometown city and arts community that has influenced my life in such profound ways.”

Goodman grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Carmel High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Miami University with a major in communications and a minor in music (voice and piano).  She lives in Zionsville with her husband Ed and two children.

ACI search committee chair Greg Wallis added, “We would like to thank the countless community leaders who provided valuable input into the search process and who have helped shape the capabilities and experiences that set the foundation for ACI to attract and select a strong leader like Julie.”

About the Arts Council of Indianapolis
The Arts Council is an organization that advocates for the need and importance of broad community funding and support for a thriving arts scene; connects artists, audiences, businesses, foundations, and arts and cultural organizations with opportunities to expand central Indiana’s creative vitality; and innovates by constantly pursuing and promoting programs that catalyze creative growth in central Indiana.

The Arts Council owns and operates two performance and exhibition spaces, the Indianapolis Artsgarden (attached to Circle Centre Mall) and Gallery 924 (at 924 N. Pennsylvania Street). The Arts Council allocates public funding to arts and cultural organizations through a competitive grant program; offers fellowship opportunities including the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship, the Transformational Impact Fellowship, the Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship, and the DeHaan Artist of Distinction Award; provides programs, services, and technical assistance for artists and arts organizations; and manages the city’s public art program including the new Public Art for Neighborhoods initiative. The Indy Arts Guide provides a comprehensive arts calendar featuring thousands of events, performances, and exhibitions throughout central Indiana. For more information on the Arts Council, call (317) 631-3301 or visit online at www.indyarts.org.
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