Springfield Regional Arts Council names new director

Springfield Regional Arts Council has selected its next executive director.

Leslie Forrester, a program specialist for the Missouri Arts Council in St. Louis since October 2011, is slated to start her job with the Springfield organization on Dec. 2, according to a news release. Forrester succeeds four-year Executive Director Leah Hamilton, who left SRAC after seven years in mid-July to take a job with Drury University as its director of arts administration.

The job represents a return to the Ozarks for Forrester, who worked 2007-09 as SRAC's arts education outreach coordinator.

“We are delighted to bring Leslie’s energy and enthusiasm for the arts back to Springfield with her broad perspective for our region’s role in the statewide community arts environment,” said Louise Knauer, president of the SRAC Board of Directors.

As executive director, Forrester will manage SRAC's efforts to promote artists, cultural organizations, educational and arts programming, and community events, as well as oversee The Creamery Arts Center, where SRAC is based. The council was formed in 1978 to represent community arts organizations.

“Since the day I graduated from college, SRAC has been a part of my life and career in one way or another. After several years away, I am honored to once again be a part of your community," Forrester said in the release.