Aidan Connolly, Executive Director of Irish Arts Center

Aidan Connolly knows that institutional growth isn't just a matter of square footage. It's a test of values.

As Executive Director of Irish Arts Center in New York City, Aidan is leading the organization through a major expansion and transformation—one that requires not only bold vision, but the discipline to protect what made the institution matter in the first place.

In this episode, Aidan reflects on what it takes to lead values-driven change, how his background in politics shaped his approach to advocacy and stakeholder management, and how arts organizations can become not just presenters of culture, but civic homes for artists and audiences alike.

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LINKS:

Irish Arts Center: https://irishartscenter.org/

WorkLife with Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/podcasts/work-life/

The New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa