The Ordway Center has named Dayna Martinez its new artistic director of world music, dance and children's festival programming. She fills a position last held by Heather Spicuzza, who left the St. Paul venue in fall 2011.
A veteran arts administrator with graduate degree in performing arts management from Chicago's Columbia College, Martinez has spent 15 years in total at the Ordway during two spells. She worked in the box office and in development from 1994-2002. After a stint in New York, she returned to the Ordway in 2004 to become contracts manager. She also has programmed the Ordway's summer dance series, which began in 2010.
"Dayna embodies the Ordway's mission and strategic programming vision and her insight will make an extraordinary addition to our programming team," Ordway president and CEO Patricia Mitchell said in a statement. Added Martinez: "The Ordway is known for its strong world music, dance and children's festival programming and I aim to continue that reputation by continuing to bring the best creative artists to the Ordway community."
