Greg Houston is the President and CEO of International Arts and Artists (IA&A), a global organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally. He joined IA&A in August 2023, succeeding David Furchgott, the founder and CEO of IA&A for nearly 28 years.
Greg has a passion for global education and cultural exchange, which he has pursued throughout his career in various leadership roles. He believes that art and culture are powerful tools for bridging divides and opening minds, especially in times of conflict and crisis. He has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of art and culture on individuals and communities around the world, from remote villages in Asia and Africa to urban centers in the Middle East and Europe.
He was the founding executive director and current Board Director of United World Schools USA, a nonprofit organization that constructs schools and designs gender-equitable educational programs in remote and marginalized communities in Asia and Africa. In 2018, he was named by the US Department of State to serve as the first Chief Executive Officer of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai (the Dubai World’s Fair). Earlier, he served as Global Vice President of External Affairs at the world’s largest peacebuilding NGO, Search for Common Ground, Senior Vice President of Programs and External Affairs at Meridian International Center, and Director of Development and New Initiatives at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. He holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a bachelor’s degree from the honors college of the University of Arizona. In 2012, he was named a Social Entrepreneurship Fellow at Harvard University.
Greg is excited to lead IA&A into its next chapter of growth and impact as it prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025. He is committed to advancing IA&A’s vision of promoting cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the international creative community through its programs and services. He is also eager to strengthen IA&A’s ties with the Washington, DC arts communities, which are vital partners in its mission.