Quad City Arts chief named to Rock Island council
As if Quad City Arts executive director Kevin Maynard wasn’t busy enough, he has been named by Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms to fill the Third Ward seat on the City Council.
Vacated in January by former Alderwoman Judith Gilbert, the council appointment will be voted on by the full City Council during the Monday, Feb. 26 meeting.
“We were grateful to receive a large response from 3rd Ward residents interested in serving the city,” Thoms said in a Friday release. “After careful consideration and meeting with all the applicants in person, I am honored to nominate Kevin Maynard to be Rock Island’s next Third Ward alderman, pending city council approval.
“I look forward to working with Kevin and welcome him to Rock Island City Council,” the mayor said.
A native of Geneseo, Maynard holds Bachelor of Accountancy and Master of Business Administration degrees from Western Illinois University. Since December 2018, he has been executive director of Quad City Arts in Rock Island, which serves a six-county region.
He has more than 15 years of experience in arts management and philanthropy, and believes the arts “are essential to a healthy community – driving tourism, the economy, and improving the quality of life,” the Friday city release says.
Maynard also serves as chair of the Illinois Presenters Network and is a co-host of the “There’s No Business Like Arts” industry podcast. He serves on the board of Richmond Hill Players in Geneseo.
Before joining Quad City Arts, Maynard served as executive director of The Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg (2013-2018), where he led a successful community campaign to renovate the 100-year-old theater.
He is married to Lily Blouin, who is active in the Quad Cities’ theater scene.
“When I took my position at Quad City Arts, I could have lived in any of the Quad Cities, but Lily and I focused on and actively chose Rock Island,” Maynard said. “We love the city’s diversity, its history, and can feel the promising future. We love Rock Island, and I look forward to getting to work with my fellow city council members.”
Maynard will represent the 3rd Ward until the term expires in April 2025, when a new election must be held.
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