• Tweet

After 20 years of service to the State of Oklahoma, Suzanne Tate, executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council has announced her retirement. Tate's retirement will be effective November 1.

"It's been a privilege serving Oklahoma by leading the agency that supports and develops the state's arts and cultural industry," said Tate.

Tate joined the state agency in 1991 as deputy director and was selected to take over as executive director in 2007.

During her time as executive director, Tate has focused the agency's efforts on building Oklahoma's cultural infrastructure. With Tate's guidance, the agency has initiated programs such as Leadership Arts and the statewide Oklahoma Arts Conference to provide professional development for nonprofit arts organizations, community development professionals, artists and others.

Kym Koch Thompson, chair of the Governor-appointed Council said, "In her four years as executive director, Suzanne successfully realized her vision of developing a network of community arts leaders and creating cultural districts in communities statewide to foster tourism and strengthen local economies. Suzanne's efforts will continue to serve Oklahoma long after she retires."

The Oklahoma Arts Council is accepting resumes for the executive director position. More information is available online at www.arts.ok.gov/about/oacjobs.html.