AURORA | Ginger White Brunetti has been chosen to lead Aurora’s public art programs, performing arts venues and libraries following a national candidate search, the city announced this week.
White Brunetti previously served as the executive director of Denver Arts and Venues, where she managed the city’s arts and culture efforts as well as entertainment facilities like the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Coliseum and Denver Performing Arts Complex.
She held the executive director title for close to five years, until 2023, when newly-elected Denver mayor Mike Johnston decided not to retain her in his administration.
In the City of Aurora’s announcement, deputy city manager Laura Perry described White Brunetti as a seasoned public servant who would put her experience running Colorado’s largest performing arts venues to work for the city.
“Ginger has effectively positioned arts, culture and entertainment as significant contributors to a city’s economic vitality, livability, placemaking and brand throughout her career,” Perry said in the announcement. “Her expertise coupled with our already vibrant arts and culture scene and globally diverse community will bring Aurora to a level we haven’t seen before.”
The former director of Aurora’s Library and Cultural Services Department, Midori Clark, left last year after accepting a job with the public library system of Fort Worth, Texas, according to information published by the City of Fort Worth.
Aurora Public Library public services manager Joanna McNeal has been serving as interim director of the department since Dec. 1, when Clark left Aurora, city spokesman Ryan Luby said.
The city also announced that McNeal will be appointed as deputy director of library services, overseeing day-to-day library operations as well as the development of new partnerships and programs. White Brunetti’s first day will be Feb. 20.
At Denver Arts and Venues, White Brunetti was in charge of a 95-person staff and managed operating and capital budgets of $100 million and $188 million. In her new role, she will oversee the equivalent of 90 full-time positions and a budget of about $11 million.
White Brunetti brings a total of 25 years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors to the job. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University and a master’s degree in urban planning and public policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“Aurora is a growing, diverse city that has so much to offer its residents and beyond,” White Brunetti said in the announcement.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to work alongside the passionate and committed Library and Cultural Services team to build community and foster connections through meaningful programs and services and new initiatives that will propel Aurora forward.”