A version of this story appears in the Sunday Life section of The Oklahoman.
The art of leadership: Fresh perspectives come with new leaders for central Oklahoma arts organizations
In the past two years, several arts organizations and agencies — including the Oklahoma Film Music Office, Oklahoma City Ballet, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Paseo Arts Association, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center and Oklahomans for the Arts — have search outside their ranks and sometimes even out of the state to hire new directors.
New leadership is bringing fresh perspective to the arts in central Oklahoma.
And in the case of Holly Moye at the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, a 90-pound canine mascot named Caleb.
In the past two years, several arts organizations and agencies have reached outside their ranks — sometimes even outside the state — to hire new directors.
The Oklahoman asked these new leaders to answer a set of email questions about the challenges facing their organizations, their thoughts on Oklahoma and their favorite works of art. Here are excerpts of their answers:
Holly Moye, Executive Director, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC)
When did you start at your new organization? Oct. 9, 2014.
Where did you work previously? Most recently I served as the director of educational programs at ArtsBridge, a Boston-based multi-disciplinary consultancy connecting students and artists with educational opportunities in the visual and performing arts.
How does your organization help the community? For almost 28 years, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition has been providing education, exposure and funding for artists throughout Oklahoma. Annually, we directly serve more than 1,700 artists. Our programs support artists in creating compelling work and connecting them with a comprehensive network. Unique within the state, we offer artists professional development workshops, project funding, information resources and awards.
We also spend a huge effort to build partnerships with organizations both locally and regionally, in order to maximize the reach and relevance of each program. By doing this, we are able to build stronger regional interchange, therefore, integrating artists, curators, and writers into multiple programs and introducing their work to new audiences.
What do you love best about your organization? Working with artists! Every day I’m excited by my conversations and interactions with our members. Just last week, I was on a site visit with our Momentum OKC Spotlight Artists and guest curator at the Farmers Public Market. Listening to artists’ ideas for their use of the space made me rethink my surroundings. I realized their perspectives drastically differed from my initial reactions, enabling me to re-experience this environment in a whole new way. Not everyone can say they have the opportunity for these types of day-to-day inspirations, but I can! My work at the organization is truly unique and ever changing, and I’m so thankful for the endless exposure to diverse and new perspectives each day. Any other work would be boring now!
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? I hate to give the old tried-and-true answer that everyone here is so nice! But, I would definitely say that’s part of it. Even more so, however, it’s not just that the residents of Oklahoma are undoubtedly kinder than most, but that we’ve also created a hugely supportive community. People are caring and friendly, AND they want you to succeed! The results of this support from individuals to corporations, particularly for the arts, are certainly coming to fruition in Oklahoma’s booming cultural scene. OKC has seen an explosion of restaurants, galleries, outdoor venues and events, public art and more. While in Tulsa, the Brady Arts district is thriving and will receive an even greater boost from the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s recently launched Artist Fellowship grants. I’ve never been a part of a community so dedicated to economic success and cultural growth. I have to say, it’s a thrill to be here now and be a part of the change.
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? Every nonprofit faces a multitude of challenges on any given day and to claim that one is bigger than another is very difficult. However, at OVAC there are always more ideas and needs to be met than we generally have the capacity to fulfill. On the flipside, this is what drives the staff to work so hard. We want to help as many artists as we can in the best possible way, and we want to provide new opportunities to even more artists and audiences each year. In considering our organizational strategies over the next few years, we are taking capacity very seriously. If the organization can grow, our services can improve and expand also.
What is your all-time favorite work of art?
This is probably the most difficult question you could ever ask an artist or art lover! I think my answer changes daily! For today, though, I would have to say Vel?zquez’s “Las Meninas.” In grad school, I specialized in 17th century painting, so I will always have a soft spot for Baroque works. But this painting in particular is very interesting in that it poses one of the most enigmatic subject matters in history. Many questions remain unresolved about its meaning, which has resulted in an abundance of scholarly literature and conversation that has actively continued into the 21st century. The fact that to this day it has managed to engage with audiences and stay relevant for over 350 years is nothing short of awesome. And that is how I would define great art.
What else do you want people to know about you or your organization? I would love for people to know that anyone can join as a member. The best benefit of our membership, whether an artist or not, is that your donation supports art and artists in Oklahoma. The same thing goes for our volunteer opportunities. If you’re not an artist but you love art, we have a place for you too! We hope to involve everyone in our state’s cultural future by continuining to strengthen our community’s support system.
About me: I have the best dog in the world, who goes to work with me every day. Actually, I should say I have 90-pound baby. If anyone would like to meet OVAC’s unofficial mascot, feel free stop by the office anytime. He loves attention from visitors!
Shane Jewell, Executive Director, Oklahoma City Ballet
When did you start at your new organization? April 2013.
Where did you work previously? OK Mozart International Music Festival in Bartlesville.
How does your organization help the community? Our organization increases the quality of life for this community by providing a top-tier ballet company. On top of this, we have a strong emphasis in community outreach, making sure that every child can be exposed to this art form regardless of their socioeconomic status. This is achieved through partnerships with local schools and organizations like the Boys and Girls Club.
What do you love best about your organization? One of the things I love best about this organization is the people. The administrative team is so incredibly talented and work so very hard because they believe in what they are doing. The dancers are so dedicated to what they do and it is a joy to watch them rehearse and build wonderful new ballets to perform for our audiences. There is a feeling of excitement working here and everyone can sense it.
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? I grew up in the city, when I went away to college in 1998 I vowed never to return. Since then it has been incredible what has happened in Oklahoma City. The taxpayers saw the benefit of their investment and continued to build this incredible community we have today. Oklahoma City is going through a true renaissance and it is a very exciting time to be here. I am proud to be home.
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? It is actually a great problem, this company is growing exponentially right now, so much so that we are exceeding our budget numbers on income by quite a bit. The issue is to sustain that growth and not grow quicker than the market can bear. It is also a challenge when people hear of this growth to remind them that were it not for their support we would not be here and we need that support to continue as we strive for our goals of having a nationally recognized ballet company in Oklahoma City.
What is your all-time favorite work of art (It can be visual, performance, cinematic, etc.)? “Swan Lake,” easy. Consequently, my first day on the job was the opening night of “Swan Lake” here in Oklahoma City. It broke a record in ticket sales and helped spur the growth we are currently experiencing.
What else do you want people to know about you or your organization? That there is more to this company than just our performances at the Civic Center. We have a school of over 200 students that is the only American Ballet Theatre affiliate school in the Midwest. We also have a very robust outreach program that is vital to our mission.
Michael Whittington, President and CEO, Oklahoma City Museum of Art
When did you start at your new organization?April 2013
Where did you work previously? Executive Director, Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, Calif., 2005-2013, and curator of ancient American and African art, Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, N.C., 1995-2005.
How does your organization help the community? The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is our region’s flagship visual arts institution. Our exhibitions feature masterworks from many of the world’s most prominent museums as well as outstanding contemporary art from emerging and mid-career artists. Importantly, we are a cultural steward, collecting and preserving works of art for Oklahoma’s future generations. The museum’s extensive arts education programs offer classes, workshops and tours for children, families and adults. Importantly, our education team goes into the community for our “Healing Arts” program providing services to health care and rehabilitative centers.
What do you love best about your organization? Among the many reasons influencing my decision to lead the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the esteem in which the community holds the museum was the most compelling. I admire the years of hard work by museum staff and board leadership to build that trust.
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? I love the “can do” spirit that has transformed our city into one of the county’s most exciting new urban areas.
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? This is an exciting time for art museums as we are rethinking our programs and business model to engage new audiences and the next generation of museum patrons. The challenge is to constantly innovate while balancing the scholarly and preservation aspects of an art museum.
What is your all-time favorite work of art? Asking me for my all-time favorite work of art is a tough question — much like asking me to name my favorite food. But, since coming to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, I have a new favorite, Thomas Moran’s “Grand Canal, Venice.” Painted in 1898, this small, exquisite work beautifully captures the Venetian afternoon light. The painting is on display in the museum’s American galleries, and I visit it often.
Tava Maloy Sofsky, Director, Oklahoma Film Music Office
When did you start at your new organization? August 2014
Where did you work previously? I studied Film Studies at the University of Oklahoma but plunged into the film industry in Los Angeles starting as a production assistant on commercials and music videos for on-the-job training. I went on to spend 12-plus years traveling all over the States, even outside of the U.S., making larger studio feature films. I also had at the opportunity to run a nonprofit organization, event manage many premiere fundraisers and restore a historic single-house, art deco movie theater in between film projects. So that’s a hard question for me to answer – where did I work – as I have been freelance my entire career. Locations all around the country, even across borders, were my offices — and I have been apart of so many projects with various studios and production companies all around the country, I have loved being a freelance filmmaker.
How does your organization help the community? Through our Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program, we bring film production to small and large communities statewide. That means not only jobs for Oklahoma crew, but a direct and indirect impact to the businesses and people of those communities. Our office also provides free listings to Oklahomans (crew and film support services) in our online production guide –this creates a viable way of connecting our local crew and filmmakers to productions and jobs. We also scout locations throughout the whole state and are constantly adding to our locations guide — this leads filmmakers to the right location and … gives great coverage to a business or locale and puts money in the pockets of private property owners.
Although part of our mission is to recruit film productions to shoot in Oklahoma, our film liaison services such as location scouting and assistance with permitting are provided to local filmmakers as well. We are very proud of our local filmmakers and we look for any opportunity we can to promote what great things they’re doing for Oklahoma’s film industry.
In the same vein of local talent, Oklahoma is filled to the brim with creative and skilled musicians. Our Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation launched Rhythm Routes, the Oklahoma Music Trail in the fall, and we are confident that not only is our past rich with musical heritage and legends, but our present music scene will continue to churn out these wonderful artists. Our online Music Guide also offers free listing for Oklahoma musicians, businesses and venues as valuable resources in an effort to provide a platform for our rich talent to grow their careers and stay right here in Oklahoma!
We search venues all across the state for film and music events that we add to our online calendar, and our staff is always looking for the best way to connect with and promote artists, venues and organizations via social media.
Have you visited all the tabs on our website? We have extensive information about filming in Oklahoma and support for musical artists. Our Jobs Internships page is updated frequently with news about casting and crew calls or jobs that we find out about. We have statewide community profiles listed, along with climate information and crop information and more!
What do you love best about your organization? The people in our family here at (the Department of) Tourism as well as the large body of filmmakers and musicians we are empowered to support. I love the opportunity we get to work with a wide variety and range of professionals. We are a part of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, so we frequently work with the parks division for location requests, and it’s nice to know all of our agencies are working together to get the good news of Oklahoma out there. We also work with the film and music industries, which is a whole different ballgame, but keeps us connected to what’s happening and what needs there may be.
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? I “recently” returned to Oklahoma, and I love that it’s grown in some aspects and stayed the same in others. We’ve seen tremendous growth in business and development and experienced somewhat of a cultural renaissance, but you’ll still find that “small town” feeling wherever you go. … — Oklahomans are just that way. There’s a friendliness and an instant camaraderie that I haven’t found anywhere else.
In just a short five months in this role, I have had the opportunity to meet so many crew people and musicians who are working just as hard as any of us. I am so honored to be in my role and be able to provide resources to them as their fellow film and music office director.
Overall, I also love the spirit Oklahoma — we’re go-getters, and even though we might be smaller than other states (or have smaller incentive budgets), we’re not going to be left behind. The sky is big here and there are no limits!
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? We are constantly working to educate the community at large about our film enhancement rebate program and validate the positive economic impact the film (and music) industry has on our communities, cities and state. … Of course, this means we will continue working diligently to provide validation and value of the resources we can offer. While recruitment is an integral part of our industry growth in both film and music, educational training and opportunities for our local crew and production service companies is an important goal we work hard at.
What is your all-time favorite work of art? Professionally, I have so many favorite films, it’d be hard to select just one but I am drawn to the works of art that taps into the heart and deep imagination of the viewer and ones that can make positive change, one by one.
Personally, I would have to say my 10-year-old daughter’s student film this past summer she did at film camp and my son’s claymation videos at home. I love empowering the youth to take their ideas and teach them how to take it to the next level. It’s so cool to see where their little minds go, for they are our future.
What else do you want people to know about you or your organization? Personally, I love meeting new folks and being an Okie myself and coming home after all those years, I have loved rekindling old business relationships.
As an office, we are here to support, educate, provide resources for our local cast and crew, musical talent as well as vendors, music businesses and production service companies.
Folks should visit our website (launching a new website Spring 2015) and they will learn so much more about what our office has to offer.
Our organization is committed to promoting Oklahoma artists. Our goal is to grow our music industry here to where it deserves to be and our film enhancement rebate program is one of the best in the country!
Amanda Bleakley, Executive Director, Paseo Arts Association
When did you start at your new organization? May 6, 2014, two weeks before the Paseo Arts Festival!
Where did you work previously? After owning my own business for 13 years, I ventured into development and alumni affairs for over eight years. In recent years, I have enjoyed the opportunity to be connected to the community at large in high-profile projects through my work with a local architectural design firm. where I gained valuable experience in administrative and project management work. The experience and relationships I have formed over the years have afforded me a well-rounded education in organization and project development. I am excited to bridge that reality with the opportunities we see today with the Paseo Arts Association, the Paseo District and the Arts and Cultural Community in OKC in general.
How does your organization help the community? Not only do we support the Paseo district, a place where people can gather, buy art and eat great food, but we also organize a three-day arts festival, provide children’s programs and partnership with several area schools. We play an important role in connecting the spheres of artistic and cultural influence in a vibrant and central part of our city.
What do you love best about your organization? We are comprised of a very passionate group of arts leaders and volunteers who really have a vision for enriching the community and the opportunities for artists. The organization maintains true commitment to our arts community, which includes the gallery spaces, and the public programs we can present to everyone.
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? I love how down-to-earth people are here and how much they want to be part of the bigger whole.
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? Funding, of course! There are so many things we want to do, but have a limited budget.
What is your all-time favorite work of art? I can’t select just one, but I have always loved the French Impressionists!
What else do you want people to know about you or your organization? We are planning the 39th Annual Paseo Arts Festival, which is May 23-25, and with the exception of the two Paseo Arts Association staff (one is part-time) it is run completely by volunteers! If interested, please call our office at 525-2688 or go to www.thepaseo.com.
Donna Rinehart-Keever, Executive Director at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
When did you start at your new organization? October 2013
Where did you work previously? Allied Arts President/CEO for 10 years
How does your organization help the community? The organization encourages artistic expression in all its forms through education and exhibitions.
What do you love best about your organization? The fact that we offer such a variety of education programs for all ages.
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? The people, of course.
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? Promoting our brand and telling our story. We are in the early stages of a capital campaign for building a new facility in downtown Oklahoma City.
What is your all-time favorite work of art? Visual and performance.
What else do you want people to know about you or your organization? The fact that our new building will be a unique arts environment where visitors are continually surrounded by and learning from contemporary art.
Julia Kirt, Executive Director, Oklahomans for the Arts
When did you start at your new organization? May 2014
Where did you work previously? Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
How does your organization help the community? Oklahomans for the Arts strives to improve our state with and through culture (and) the arts by advocating for public funding for the arts, public art and arts education.
Leading statewide advocacy, Oklahomans for the Arts serves nonprofit arts organizations along with their supporters and beneficiaries. OFTA also serves artists and art enthusiasts who believe arts and culture should be a priority in Oklahoma.
What do you love best about your organization? Oklahomans for the Arts gives a voice for the diverse arts industry, including many arts organizations and artists who are improving our state.
What do you love best about Oklahoma City or Oklahoma? I love Oklahoma’s newness and huge potential. We have so many new institutions, growing industries
What are the biggest challenges your organization is facing? Our state is deciding priorities for the future. We must help our elected officials understand the educational, community-building and economic impact of the arts across our state and why public investment in arts and culture makes sense.
We will continue to inform elected officials about the strength and value of arts organizations and artists. This year we will focus on conveying the importance of the Oklahoma Arts Council as a backbone agency for the arts, providing communication, training, and funding to improve our state.
What is your all-time favorite work of art? I have to say Jesu’s Soto’s “Penetrables” sculptures, which are public art that looks minimalist, but is created for audience’s enjoyment. Made of long strands of rubber, they are big sculptures that encourage interaction and play. I just saw a full-room “Penetrable” mounted at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, which had people of all ages lying on the floor, moving slowly to feel the materials and more.
What else do you want people to know? We welcome new arts advocates and those interested in cultural organizations, museums or any art form to connect with our organization and add their voice to prioritizing arts and culture in our state. If we care about arts and culture for our state and future, we have to advocate for it.
-BAM
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