Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa Announces New Executive Director

TULSA, Okla. - May 28, 2015 - PRLog -- The Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa has announced the selection of Holly Becker as its new Executive Director. “Holly Becker brings a passion for the arts, a successful business background, and years of strategic leadership in the non-profit sector to the position of Executive Director of the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa. She has proven ability to work with stakeholders in effecting positive change,” said Search Committee Chair Linda Frazier. “With Holly at the helm, we are confident that our rich past history will lead to a successful, bright future for our organization.”

As Executive Director, Becker will work to lead the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa and the Hardesty Arts Center. She will use her business skills and collaborate with board, donors, staff and community to realize the organization’s strategic goals and mission – in short, to make the arts happen. Asked about this new chapter, Becker said, "I am thrilled to take the helm for this organization with a long history of supporting and growing the arts in Tulsa. This is a very exciting time for the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa and the Hardesty Arts Center, and I am eager to help grow the Council's strengths and further its mission."

The process for selecting a new leader involved current and past Board members, past Executive Directors, and community leaders. “These past 6 months have been a time of re-imagining, re-invigorating, re-working and rebooting the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa,” said Board of Directors President Sharon King Davis. “It has been exciting to see progress and change as we have elevated internal processes and looked outward. The incredibly professional search process for the new Executive Director position produced national and local candidates. Through a careful process, a very vibrant and talented young leader has risen to the top. We are extremely hopeful for Holly Becker to join the Council and lead us into our next chapter!”

Becker will begin with the Council in July upon leaving her position as Vice President of Business Operations at the Tulsa Zoo. Her tenure at the Zoo included the transition in management operations as well as a period as Interim Executive Director. Beginning her career in the for-profit telecommunications field, Becker soon felt the pull of working for an organization with a mission. "The arts, humanities and creative expression are a vital part of a well-rounded human experience. Likewise they are a vital part of a well-rounded, healthy and thriving community. Organizations like the Arts & Humanities Council, and its member institutions, make Tulsa unique and offer opportunities for citizens of all walks of life to participate in the arts," she said.

Prior to opening the 42,000+ square foot Hardesty Arts Center in December 2012 in downtown’s Brady Arts District, the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa operated from the historic Harwelden Mansion, a property it still owns and maintains as an event venue and office space for nonprofits. The Council maintains its long-standing educational outreach programs, and the Hardesty Arts Center has allowed it to offer a wider range of visual arts programs, including a contemporary gallery and rooftop artist studios. Becker is eager to grow the Hardesty Arts Center to its full potential, noting, "the facility is amazing and a real gem in the heart of the Brady Arts District. I am excited to get to brainstorm with staff and board leadership about the opportunities for growth of our programs and local impact. Being located in the Brady Arts District could not be better for potential collaboration."

The Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa is the champion for area arts and culture. The Hardesty Arts Center is located at 101 East Archer Street in the Brady Arts District. More information about the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa and the Hardesty Arts Center may be found online: http://www.ahhatulsa.org