Associate Director Matt Collinsworth

Matt Collinsworth joined the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as associate director in February 2026, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, cultural institutions, higher education, and community development.

Before joining the Institute, Collinsworth served as executive director of Carbondale Main Street, where he worked to strengthen downtown revitalization efforts and foster partnerships that supported local businesses and community growth. He previously held leadership positions as chief executive officer of the National Quilt Museum and director of the National Music Museum, guiding nationally recognized cultural organizations through strategic planning, fundraising, public engagement, and organizational development.

Earlier in his career, Collinsworth served as senior director of Cultural Outreach, Preservation, and Education and director of KFAC at Morehead State University, where he oversaw museum operations and a range of university cultural programs for more than 15 years. Prior to that, he was executive director of the Morehead Downtown Association, administering a nationally affiliated Main Street improvement program focused on downtown revitalization and community development.

Collinsworth holds a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown College.