After a thorough search and interview process, Norman Arts Council is happy to announce the unanimous board approval to hire Leslie Nottingham as its new Executive Director.
Nottingham has a wide range of work and education experience that make her an ideal fit to lead the organization. She comes to Norman from Ocala, Florida, where she served in a similar role as the Cultural Arts Manager for the City of Ocala. Her responsibilities included overseeing fine arts events, managing cultural programs and serving as a liaison between the city and various local arts organizations.
The NAC Board of Directors appointed an Executive Director Search Committee and contracted with CoSpire Consulting to guide the organization through the process of selecting a new Executive Director to continue Norman Arts’ positive trajectory in the years ahead.
Ultimately, Nottingham was selected as the best candidate to do so. She will begin on Wednesday, May 1, shadowing longtime Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan with plenty of opportunity to learn directly to ensure a smooth transition.
"We wish nothing but the best to Erinn in her next chapter in life. It has truly been an honor to serve with her and watch her make her magic,” Norman Arts Council's Board President and Executive Director Search Committee Chair Dennis Brigham said. “We also are beyond pleased and hopeful with the results of our search. I wish to send a special thank you to the members of the search committee who have worked hard and diligently to arrive at this choice. We are confident that Leslie will be a valuable addition to the Norman Arts Council family and look forward to a very exciting future for our organization and the Arts in Norman."
After 13 years at Norman Arts Council, Gavaghan announced her departure last fall, seeking to move closer to family in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated with her PhD from the University of Oklahoma in Art History this past fall and starts her new role as the Executive Director of The Art Center of Corvallis, Oregon in July.
“It is with great confidence that I hand over the leadership of the NAC to Leslie,” Gavaghan said. “I am very excited for the future of the organization and I am sure, with the NAC’s highly talented staff, that the coming years will be very bright for the NAC with Leslie and the team. I will remain in my position with the NAC through the beginning of June to help Leslie become accustomed to our community and arts programs.”
The change at Norman Arts Council comes as The City of Norman itself eyes growth and evolution amidst the University of Oklahoma’s transition into the Southeastern Conference this summer. Nottingham — with a wealth of diverse job experience and qualifications — seems primed to meet the opportunities and challenges that will come with the shift.
She holds a BFA in Theatre: Stage Management from California Institute of the Arts, an Arts & Its Markets Certificate from Sotheby’s London and an MA in the History of Decorative Art from Corcoran College of Art & Design/The Smithsonian Associates.
After a series of fellowships and internships from the likes of the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History and Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, she’s held positions with Christie’s Auction House, Hallmark and Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm.
Nottingham landed at The City of Ocala as the Cultural Arts Supervisor in 2020, overseeing public art projects, Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk, Art Park Series, and serving as a liaison between the city, project managers, community stakeholders, artists and the public.
In early 2023, she was elevated to Cultural Arts Manager, expanding her duties to strategic planning in cooperation with the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission, City departments and City management, as well as fostering broad partnerships with local arts organizations, educational institutions, businesses and the media. Nottingham oversaw fiscal operations, promotional initiatives, networking and staff hiring/training, as well as acting as a resource for entities from across the City interested in bettering the local creative community.
The move to Norman brings Nottingham closer to family in Kansas City. She is avid writer and enjoys traveling, especially to Scotland and England. When not working in the arts, you can find her at a local coffee shop.
“I am thrilled to join the fantastic team at NAC and Norman community,” Nottingham said. “The board has offered such a warm welcome, and I’m eager to get started. I look forward to Erinn’s guidance as I transition into the position. I know she will be missed by all and have very large shoes to fill.”
Norman Arts Council has enriched the Norman community by stimulating artistic, cultural and economic growth through the support and promotion of an inclusive arts community since its formation in 1976.
It is known across the region for its unique Hotel-Motel Tax Grant program, supporting dozens of quality arts & cultural organizations each year, as well as its oversight of Norman’s growing public art collection, organizer behind 2nd Friday Norman Art Walks, operation of MAINSITE Contemporary Art, arts education scholarships, grants to Norman artists and more initiatives directed towards supporting our local creative community and making Norman a vibrant place to live/work in and visit.
