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Arts Patron

Charlotte Kessler, New Albany

Nominated By: Christy Rosenthal, Director of Development, Wexner Center for the Arts

Charlotte Kessler of New Albany is a passionate, energetic and dedicated community advocate with a particular focus on the arts. In addition to being a generous donor and leader in development and corporate governance, she extends her support through a nearly unparalleled commitment to a variety of arts organizations on both the local, state and national levels.

In Columbus, she has served in a wide range of arts leadership roles, including vice president of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, president of the Players Theatre Board and president of the Columbus Metropolitan Library Board. In honor of her generous support of the library, the Columbus Metropolitan Library named the New Albany branch in her honor. She has also served on the boards of the Franklin Park Conservatory; the Greater Columbus Arts Council, where she was a member of the Executive Committee; The Columbus Foundation, where she chaired the Arts Committee; the Ohio Arts Council, where she was a member of the Executive and Finance Committees; and the Wexner Center Foundation. In addition, she is a life trustee of Denison University.

Nationally, Kessler was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2011 she brought current NEA chairman, Rocco Landesman to Ohio for arts tours of Hamilton, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, culminating with a panel discussion at the Wexner Center’s Mershon Auditorium. Involving some of Columbus’ greatest arts patrons and advocates, the group discussed the important role of the arts in economic development for over 1,000 artists, creative professionals and others.

Arts advocate and philanthropic leader, Kessler’s extensive effort, leadership, intelligence and experience have made her a force for positive change throughout Ohio and across the country.

Charlotte Kessler's video tribute (5:07 minutes)