Jamie Grant to Lead McCallum Theatre

PALM DESERT — Effective Sept. 14, 2020, Jamie Grant will serve as the new president & CEO of the McCallum Theatre, one of Coachella Valley’s entertainment jewels, Harold Matzner, chairman of the Board of Trustees announced Sunday.

Grant brings to the McCallum a long and successful history as a nationally-respected leader in the not-for-profit performing arts field. For the past four years, Grant has served as President and CEO of The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minn., which hosts a 1,900-seat Music Theater and an 1,100-seat Concert Hall. Prior to that, he was President and CEO of the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas and held leadership positions in Canada with The Centre In The Square in Kitchener, Ontario; the Imperial Theatre in Saint John, New Brunswick; City of Brampton Theatre Office in Brampton, Ontario and the Skylight Theatre in Toronto.

Under Grant’s direction, The Ordway has been recognized as one of the United States’ premier not-for-profit performing arts centers. In addition to presenting a wide variety of diverse performances including the finest in musical theater, world music, dance and vocal artists, The Ordway is home to the Flint Hills Family Festival, one of the top festivals of its kind in America.

“It is with great excitement that we welcome Jamie to the McCallum,” Harold Matzner, Chairman of the McCallum Theatre Board of Trustees, said in a prepared sttatement. “He is nationally regarded as a creative leader in the nonprofit performing arts world. His long history of smart decision-making, fiscal responsibility and fundraising expertise will serve the McCallum exceptionally well as we build upon the Theatre’s unprecedented success and navigate through some uncharted territory ahead. He is a genuinely good person, with a deep love of the arts and education. We couldn’t be more delighted that he will be bringing his exceptional skills to the Coachella Valley.”

At the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas, Grant oversaw a multi-purpose venue with three performance spaces including the 2,442-seat Dell Hall; 200-seat Rollins Theatre; and the City Terrace, an outdoor performance space for up to 15,000. The Long Center is home to the city’s symphony, opera and ballet.

“I have admired the McCallum Theatre for many years,” Grant said in a prepared statement.  “The McCallum is impressive in every way. If you do what I do, this is a great gig. The Theatre and its professional and volunteer leadership have developed a strong business acumen for many years. All of that effort will ensure the organization thrives long after the current Covid-19 crisis has passed.”

“I simply cannot wait to get to town and get started,” Grant. said “I am grateful to Harold Matzner and the McCallum Search Committee for their confidence in inviting me to join such a seasoned staff and top-flight Board at an institution so clearly cherished by its donors, patrons and the community.”

“The Coachella Valley has been a vacation destination of mine for each of the last three years,” he said. “I can’t believe I get to live there now,” Grant said. “My wife said we could move anywhere in the world as long as the kids would want to visit us. When they heard we were heading to the desert, they are now fighting over who gets to visit first.”