In the Spotlight: Ben Morris

Meet Ben Morris, our new Operations Director at Quad City Arts! A proud Quad Cities native with a knack for both creativity and efficiency, Ben brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to the team. After spending nearly a decade exploring life outside the Midwest—from the soulful vibes of Macon, Georgia, to the sunny coastlines of Southwest Florida—Ben has returned home with a mission: to strengthen the operational backbone that supports our creative vision. Whether it’s streamlining workflows or enhancing event logistics, Ben is passionate about creating systems that empower artists, volunteers, and the entire community.

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Are you a Quad Cities native? What brought you to the Quad Cities?  Yes, I’m a Quad Cities native. After high school, though, I spent eight years living outside the Midwest. First was Macon, Georgia - known as the Song and Soul of the South - and then Southwest Florida, otherwise known as “America’s Headline Factory.” While I enjoyed those adventures, I eventually realized I’m no swamp creature. So now I’m back home in the QC, ready to see what trouble I can stir up.

What is your biggest achievement/goal/moment of success to date – personal or professional?  I can’t resist giving a tongue-in-cheek response here, so here goes: I'll have you know I’m among the elite 0.64% of players who successfully completed the epilogue of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare on veteran difficulty - all the way back in 2007 (I'm not old!). I have to flex my gaming credentials now and then to remind everyone that despite my “old man reflexes,” I've still got it.

How did you first learn about Quad City Arts?  I first encountered Quad City Arts on grade-school field trips to the Festival of Trees. The event's scale left a lasting impression, and I’m excited to now be part of it after all these years.

What are you most excited for in your role at Quad City Arts?  I’m most excited about building the operational foundation that lets Quad City Arts focus on its creative mission. Whether it’s rolling out digital workflows, fine-tuning event logistics or upgrading our IT infrastructure, every improvement directly empowers our artists, volunteers, and staff. Knowing that behind every exhibit, workshop, or community event there’s a smoother process (and that I played a part in making it happen) is what excites me the most.

What is your favorite arts experience in the Quad Cities?  As a (very) amateur composer myself, my favorite arts experience is attending the Quad City Symphony Orchestra’s performances - their skill and range always leave me impressed.

What is your favorite arts experience outside of the Quad Cities?  Outside the Quad Cities, my favorite arts experience was Meow Wolf in Denver. Its sprawling, interactive installation had my friends and me wandering for hours, and I couldn’t stop talking about it for days. It truly felt like exploring an alien planet - an experience that’s as unforgettable as it is hard to describe.

Who is your favorite artist? (This can be any artist – visual, performing, etc.)  My favorite artist is composer Austin Wintory. Whether it’s the memorable cello motif in Journey or the seven-harp ensemble featured in the score of Abzû, his music always draws me in. Not everyone can say they've received an award from their favorite artist - but a few years back, I had the unexpected honor of receiving a Special Endeavour Award from Austin Wintory himself.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?  I think even those who know I’m into music production might be surprised to learn I can actually sing - especially when it comes to hard rock vocal styles. My musical work is purely instrumental and I’m soft-spoken most of the time, but give me some pounding drums and a catchy guitar riff, and I might surprise you.

What are you currently watching on Netflix or TV?  I’m watching the British comedy series Taskmaster, where a panel of comedians competes in absurd challenges. It’s one of those rare shows where I’ve caught myself smiling or laughing nonstop for the entire 45 minutes.

Star Wars or Star Trek?  Star Trek: The Next Generation is particularly special - a real banger, as the kids say.

Where is the best pizza in the Quad Cities (or where you are from)?   Harris Pizza is probably the first place that comes to mind when people mention Quad Cities pizza. It’s hard for me to pick a single best pizza, though - I love pizza so much that honestly, some nights even a gas station slice hits just as hard.

What is your favorite book?   My favorite books are from the A Song of Ice and Fire series. When the first season of Game of Thrones first aired on HBO, I was hooked and knew it was going to be rough waiting for season two. As soon as I found out it was based on a book series, I tore through all the available books while waiting for the next season to drop.

Where is your go-to place for inspiration?  For me, it's less about a specific place and more about the activity itself. Inspiration often strikes when I'm listening to music - usually a cinematic score from a movie or video game. Bonus points if I happen to have a good coffee in hand at the same time.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  I could see myself doing something in design - maybe interior design or creating unique spaces for people. There’s something satisfying about carefully crafting an environment that people connect with and genuinely enjoy spending time in.

If you could have a drink with any artist living or dead who would it be?  Hans Zimmer. I'd love to sit down and talk music and creativity with the person responsible for so many of the greatest film scores ever written. Just hearing his perspective would be fascinating.


We’re thrilled to have Ben on board as we continue to grow and evolve at Quad City Arts. His love for music, passion for the arts, and dedication to building a solid foundation for creativity make him a perfect fit for our team. Join us in giving Ben a warm welcome—you’ll likely find him fine-tuning processes behind the scenes or soaking in the sounds of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Here’s to the exciting projects and possibilities ahead!