Western Illinois University has chosen the person who will oversee the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts during its inaugural season.
The university said Mick Cumbie will serve as interim director of the $119 million dollar arts center. The appointment took effect on Monday, June 1.
Cumbie has worked in numerous leadership roles through the years, including as director of development for Western’s College of Fine Arts and Communication from 2006-2015 and again from 2023-2025.
He also led the YMCA of McDonough County as interim chief executive officer in 2021.
Cumbie served in the U.S. Army for 24 years, and served as chair of WIU’s Military Science Department from 2001-2006.
The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts is scheduled to open in mid-September. The opening year lineup, which WIU has named “A Season of Joy,” was announced a month ago.
Season tickets are now available on the Western Presents website. Tickets for individual shows will go on sale in August.
Cumbie replaces Anne Lefter, who’s leaving to become executive director of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa. She begins that job on July 1.
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