Luis F. Ruiz, Jr. has been named the new Director of Arts & Culture for the City of Mesa and will begin his role in October. Ruiz brings nearly 30 years of experience in municipal and university cultural programming to the position.
Ruiz previously worked for the City of Mesa as Deputy Director for Parks and Recreation, where he managed operations at venues such as the Mesa Convention Center, The Post, Mesa Amphitheatre, and the Office of Special Events. He most recently served as Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture for Lawrence, Kansas, where he led strategic planning efforts, managed budgets worth millions of dollars, and expanded community engagement with arts and cultural programs. In that role, he oversaw parks spanning 4,000 acres along with recreation centers, athletic fields, and various cultural facilities.
Mesa City Manager Scott Butler commented on Ruiz’s appointment: “Luis represents exactly the kind of visionary leadership we need to propel Mesa’s arts and culture scene to new heights. His deep understanding of our community, combined with his proven track record of innovation and excellence, makes him the ideal person to guide our world-class cultural institutions into an exciting new chapter.”
As director in Mesa, Ruiz will oversee several major institutions including the Mesa Arts Center—one of the largest comprehensive arts facilities in the country—the idea Museum, and the Arizona Museum of Natural History.
“I’m incredibly excited to return to Mesa and work alongside the talented teams at Mesa Arts Center, idea Museum and Arizona Museum of Natural History,” said Ruiz. “Together, we will present world-class performances and exhibitions, inspire creativity, support early childhood learning, and share our region’s rich heritage. My goal is to expand access, strengthen community connections and position Mesa as a cultural leader locally, regionally and nationally.”
Ruiz holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
The selection process was conducted through a national search with assistance from Arts Consulting Group. Candace Cannistraro, Deputy City Manager overseeing Arts & Culture for Mesa stated: “Arts Consulting Group played a pivotal role in the recruitment and interview process. Their expertise in the industry allowed for a wide candidate pool. The selection process was comprehensive and participative, involving input from the Foundation and Advisory Boards, staff and city leadership. Luis received overwhelming support from all groups he met, reflecting his ability to build consensus and inspire confidence across diverse constituencies.”
Ruiz joins at a time when there are ongoing investments being made in programming enhancements for facilities as well as increased efforts toward community engagement initiatives throughout Mesa.
