After 13 years as the director of arts and culture and executive director of Mesa Arts Center, Cindy Ornstein is retiring from the city of Mesa.

Her last day in the office will be June 29.

As department director, Ornstein oversees the i.d.e.a. Museum and the Arizona Museum of Natural History and has led day-to-day operations of Mesa Arts Center, according to a release.

“Under Cindy’s leadership, Mesa’s arts and cultural destinations have received national and international recognition, expanded their programming and doubled down on their central role in civic life,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said in the release. “I commend Cindy for her commitment to ensuring residents of all ages have access to arts and cultural experiences and appreciate her partnership in helping to fully realize the role of arts and culture in the evolution of our downtown core.”

“Cindy has contributed greatly to cement Mesa as an arts destination in the Southwest. Under her leadership, we have seen many world-class performers, artists and exhibits fill our theaters and museum galleries, bringing in more patrons than ever before,” Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said. “More importantly, Cindy has engaged our community through initiatives and art education programs which will have a lasting impact in our city.”

Accomplishments include navigating the challenges of COVID-19 by supporting staff, rehiring most laid-off employees and leading a successful recovery. Ornstein helped launch Creative Aging, now known as Opportunities for Ages 55+, and initiated grassroots community work that resulted in Mesa Prototyping Project, MABEL (Mobile Art-based Engagement Lab) and The Collective. Additionally, Ornstein spearheaded community projects such as Street Pianos, “Play Me, I’m Yours,” the Mesa Prototyping Project, and “Strange Encounters,” an outdoor art experience that brought the community together during the pandemic, the release states.

“Cindy has done an amazing job carrying Mesa Arts Center into the 21st century. She led initiatives at the forefront of arts programming that are part of the lives of the citizens of Mesa and surrounding communities,” Randy Vogel, Mesa Arts Center’s deputy director of theaters, said in the release. “Her impact will be felt for decades to come.”

A national search is in process for Ornstein’s successor. Until that person begins their tenure, interim management has been named from the department’s senior leadership, with Ornstein’s duties to be split between two people, Deputy Director of Arts and Culture -- Operations and Administration Illya Riske will serve as interim arts and culture director, and Deputy Director of Mesa Arts Center -- Visual Arts and Engagement/Education Mandy Tripoli will serve as interim director of Mesa Arts Center.

Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the city of Mesa, is home to four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios. Go to mesaartscenter.com.