Jeff Chelesvig, the president and CEO of Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA), is retiring. He will remain in the role until Aug. 31 while the board of directors for DMPA conducts a national search for his replacement. 

“I am thankful for all of the people who I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years including our team, our board, donors, patrons and the community of central Iowa,” said Chelesvig in a press release. “Together we have developed a reputation for excellence, for the dynamic support of arts and culture, for warm and supportive audiences, and as a destination where performers will continue to feel welcomed. I am confident our star will continue to shine bright in Des Moines.”  

Chelesvig has been in the role since 1995. An Iowa native, he has held roles in theater operations management in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Florida.  

Over his tenure, DMPA has grown to encompass four different venues and various programming. DMPA delivers the Willis Broadway Series, which has 12,800 subscribers and is responsible for $40 million in annual economic impact, according to a news release. Its venues also host speakers, musical acts and performing arts education through programs like the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards and the Applause Series.

Last year, DMPA announced plans to submit a concept for the redevelopment of the Argonne Armory building in the East Village to the Des Moines City Council to expand space to meet increasing demand for its educational programming.

Beyond his work at DMPA, Chelesvig is a lifetime member of the Broadway League, the trade association for Broadway in New York and across the country. He is the only voter in Iowa for the Tony Awards, and he is the immediate past president of the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of Broadway tour presenters who invest in Broadway and touring productions.

Read more about Chelesvig’s career and life lessons in this dsm magazine story.