People You Need To Know: Leslie Forrester

Behind Leslie Forrester’s calm demeanor is a fervent evangelist for the arts. She sees art – in its many forms, from musical theater to sidewalk sculptures – as an essential part of a thriving community.

“It’s the piece that is really authentically who we are, where we live,” she says.

Her role as executive director of the Springfield Regional Arts Council Inc. is to connect artists, nonprofits, businesses and patrons. It is also to amplify the role the arts play in Springfield, address gaps in offerings and infrastructure and help chart a course for the future.

SRAC will launch a cultural community plan June 11 after working with an outside firm to gather input and develop a 10-year road map with specific goals.

“It’s both a snapshot of where we’re at, where artists see priorities and needs, and what the community wants,” she says.

SRAC is the engine behind huge events such as ArtsFest and First Friday Art Walk. It makes art education accessible, advocates for funding and champions artists and cultural groups.

ArtsFest, the largest art festival in southwest Missouri, celebrated its 45th year in 2026.

After two decades of paying the Downtown Springfield Association to jointly manage the festival, SRAC did it entirely in-house this year. Good weather led to a record-breaking year for attendance.

“It’s a legacy event for people and the sort of kickoff of their spring,” she says.

Forrester says Springfield has an abundance of arts-related events and offerings, especially for its size.

“Springfield has got something really, really special,” she says. “And there is always things we can do to make it better.”

Funding for the arts has grown more precarious amid state and federal cuts and a “yo-yo-ing economy,” in Forrester’s words. SRAC, with a staff of 6.5 positions and an annual budget of $1.3 million, is not immune, 40% of which is dependent on local and state appropriations.

Gov. Mike Kehoe cut arts funding in FY26 and FY27, and the Springfield City Council voted in March to allocate $100,000 in one-time funds to fill a gap after another city funding source dried up. She says it is unclear what will happen next year.

“I’ve built three or four different versions of a budget,” she says.

SRAC has sought partnership for events to diversify revenue while also cutting expenses. A professional development series sought by artists and arts groups was paused along with a shuttle service during ArtWalk.

The 35,000-square-foot Creamery Arts Center provides a home for SRAC and others. Forrester says more studio, practice and rehearsal space is needed.

“We desperately need more space,” Forrester says. “We’re constantly juggling a bit to make spaces work.”

Forrester’s love of the arts started early, sitting on the piano bench as her mom or grandma played. It seemed to her they were “magically creating music out of thin air.”

She described herself as a band and theater kid in school but, later when choosing a major in college, she was drawn to the business side of the arts.

“The arts are a legitimate piece of growing our community, both in economic development and in business. As we figure out what our community identity is and who we really are, the arts are always going to be right there. That is a hugely motivating piece for me,” she says.

“The arts are more than just fun. ... It’s nice to go out on a Friday night, but the business that generates from that and the impact of what would happen if it’s not here is quite significant.”

Forrester says she leads by working with a team, not above or around them.

“At the end of ArtsFest, I was right there with the rest of the team picking up the last bits of garbage off the street,” she says.