Masters of Arts Management, Carnegie Mellon University; Bachelors of Arts, Columbia College Chicago
Kathryn Heidemann, a dynamic leader in arts management and higher education, currently serves as President + CEO of Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). As CIA’s 11th president, and the College’s first female president in more than a century, she has played a pivotal role in steering the institution through transformative initiatives that integrate creative practice with technological innovation and civic engagement. Under her leadership, the College has launched several forward-facing efforts, most notably the $35 million Transformation Campaign focused on expanding student access and success, investing in faculty development, and accelerating technological innovation—all “future proofing” initiatives to advance both the College and the greater creative economy. More than $30 million has been raised to date.
A cornerstone of this campaign is the development of CIA’s Interactive Media Lab (IML), an innovation hub at the nexus of art and design, education, technology, workforce development and community impact. Officially opening in August 2025 as part of the MidTown Collaboration Center, this $13 million regional investment exemplifies Heidemann’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into arts education while positioning CIA as a creative catalyst within Northeast Ohio’s cross-sector innovation ecosystem.
Heidemann brings more than 25 years of multifaceted experience in arts administration and higher education. Prior to her presidency, which began July 2022, she served as CIA’s Vice President of Academic Affairs + Chief Academic Officer. In that role, she was instrumental in leading the College’s strategic planning process, its successful reaccreditation, COVID academic planning, and the creation of the Jane B. Nord Center for Teaching + Learning. As Assistant Dean of Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Fine Arts and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, she directed graduate programs in arts and entertainment management in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, cultivating data- and tech-savvy leaders across the visual and performing arts, interactive media and entertainment sectors. Her background also includes leadership positions at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Chicago Academy for the Arts and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Scotland), and she was appointed by the mayor to serve as Art Commissioner for the City of Pittsburgh.
Heidemann currently serves on several local and national boards, including University Circle Inc., Cleveland Public Library Foundation, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio, and Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. She has been recognized for her visionary leadership and service through various outlets such as Smart Business Magazine (Smart 50 Awards), Ohio Business Magazine (Ohio’s 500 Most Influential Leaders) and Cleveland Magazine (Cleveland 500), to name a few.
A proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University (Master of Arts Management), Columbia College Chicago (Bachelor of Arts) and Leadership Cleveland (LC ’22), she’s also a rock bassist and adventurer-in-chief with her husband, two sons and one very wacky German Shorthaired Pointer.
