Co-CEO and COO
Overture Center for the Arts | Madison
Michael Conway joined Overture Center for the Arts’ executive leadership team in late 2022 as chief operating officer. Overture Center, a nonprofit arts organization and performance venue located on State Street in downtown Madison, hosts roughly 700,000 educational and artistic experiences annually and houses the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison Ballet, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Madison Opera. It also hosts residencies with Forward Theater Company, Kanopy Dance Company, Li Chiao-Ping Dance, Children’s Theater of Madison and the James Watrous Gallery. Previously, Conway was general manager at Live Nation in Indianapolis, where he had oversight of the organization’s club-sized venue Old National Centre, and held operations roles at Second City in Chicago.
Education: Loyola University Chicago and Columbia College Chicago
One decision to do over: “I wish I had taken the opportunity to work at different venues earlier in my career. Staying in familiar environments felt safe, but moving to new venues later taught me the value of embracing change. I’ve learned that growth comes not just from timing, but from being willing to step into new opportunities.”
What would you like to change about Wisconsin: “The state government’s funding for the arts. Currently, Wisconsin ranks last among all 50 states in arts funding, spending only 18 cents per capita.”
Favorite Wisconsin destination: “The entire Driftless region.”
Buzzword you never want to hear again: “Hard stop.”
