Matthias Waschek: Gear Shifter
Matthias Waschek, Director at the Worcester Art Museum. Age: 55, Hometown: St. Louis, Years working in Central Mass.: 5
The Worcester Art Museum is an institution that has the power to elevate the city's visibility, and in the last year Waschek has begun to tap into that power to support a surging art movement. That movement has been humming along through ArtsWorcester and the Sprinkler Factory but has needed this pillar to add its voice to the conversation.
With this past year's “Meow: A Cat-Inspired Exhibition” the organization entered the fray with a show featuring local artists as well as cats from the Worcester Animal Rescue League that could be adopted by visitors. Area artists were able to see their work displayed in the same facility as the work of masters in this furry step forward for the institution.
Q&A
What role do the arts play in Central Mass' economic development?
They contribute to positive branding and quality of life (which helps companies attract new staff), provide employment, and attract visitors – and their spending.
How do you keep your organization fresh while maintaining its important legacy?
It's important to have clear vision, mission and purpose statements, aligning them with long range plans that have input from staff, constituencies and the board.
Gathered below are the other Central Massachusetts' 2016 Power Players:
Standard Bearers: Long-time forces in the business community
- Timothy P. Murray, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Mike Angelini, Chairman of Bowditch & Dewey
- The Crowleys, Owners & Shareholders of Polar Beverages & Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
- Sandy L. Dunn, General manager at the SMG/DCU Center
- Don Irving, President of Black Point Realty & Nichols Square LLC
Trail Blazers: Pioneers setting the latest economic trends
- Karim El-Gamal, Co-owner of the Rail Trail Flatbread Co./New City Microcreamery/
- Ed Moore, President & CEO of Harrington HealthCare System
- Girish Navani, CEO of eClinicalWorks
- Kevin O’Sullivan, President & CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, Worcester
- Alec Lopez & Sherri Sadowski, Owners of Armsby Abbey/Crust Bakeshop/The Dive Bar
Behind the Scenes: People in the background who keep the wheels turning
- Cheryl Lapriore, Chief of staff & chief marketing officer at UMass Memorial Health Care
- Gordon Lankton, Retired president of Nypro Inc.
- Ann T. Lisi, President & CEO of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation
- Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, Vice president of business development at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Jim McGovern & Karyn E. Polito, U.S. Congressman & Lieutenant Governor
Next Wave: Forward thinkers ushering in the new economy
- Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
- Che Anderson, Project manager at the Office of the Worcester City Manager
- Jeannie Hebert, President & CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Dean Rohan, Co-founder & owner, Tree House Brewing Co.
- Christine Thomas, Development partner at XSS Hotels and Colwen Management
Gear Shifters: Up-and-comers breathing new life into old ideas
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