Winberg to step down as CEO of Grant Park Music Festival
It is the end of an era for the Grant Park Music Festival.
Paul Winberg, president and CEO of Chicago’s lakefront summer classical series, will be stepping down from his role in 2026, the festival announced Wednesday morning.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead the Grant Park Music Festival for the past fourteen years,” said Winberg in a statement released by the festival. “I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, from expanding our artistic programming to strengthening our financial foundation and deepening our connection with the vibrant community of Chicago.
“I am confident that the Festival is in a strong position for continued success, and I look forward to supporting the transition to new leadership.”
“Paul Winberg has been an extraordinary leader for the Grant Park Music Festival,” said Adam Grais, festival chair. “His vision and dedication has helped transform the Festival, expanding its reach, strengthening its financial foundation, and solidifying its place as a cherished cultural institution in Chicago.
“We are grateful for his incredible contributions and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
Winberg’s greatest achievement during his tenure was deftly managing the festival’s transition from a subsidiary of the Chicago Park District to an independent and financially stable cultural nonprofit, while maintaining cordial relationships with the Park District and the city of Chicago.
He has also proved an extraordinarily successful fund-raiser. Last week, the festival raised $1.3 million at its annual benefit, a record-setting amount, and the current endowment stands at $30 million.
About the only (quiet) criticism of Winberg’s tenure has been the overzealous focus in recent seasons on “equity”/DEI head-counting, especially as it relates to repertoire and booking of artists. Though it is likely that much of that pressure came from the city as well as the strings attached to grant money that comes from highly political foundations.
Yet even with that, Winberg has maintained the artful programming mix that has been the festival’s hallmark historically. Every summer, the Grant Park concerts have managed to gracefully balance cornerstone concert repertory with classical rarities, neglected American works, and selective commissioning of new music.
Most importantly, the artistic achievement has been consistently high over Winberg’s decade-and-a-half with Carlos Kalmar as the festival’s longtime artistic director and principal conductor. Under Winberg, the festival made a smooth transition last summer to Giancarlo Guerrero, Kalmar’s successor, whose debut season proved a notable success.
The board of directors will conduct a national search for a new CEO, identifying “a dynamic leader who can build upon the Festival’s legacy, embrace its unique mission, and guide it into its next exciting chapter.”
Winberg will remain in his role through the spring of 2026.
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