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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Joel Gavin
Director of Marketing and Communications
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2037
joel.gavin@arts.ok.gov

Oklahoma City ? Members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council today announced their selection of Kim Baker to head up the agency that supports and leads in the development of the state's arts and cultural industry. The Council made their selection after a nationwide search. Baker has served as the agency's deputy director for the past four years and takes over for retiring executive director, Suzanne Tate on November 1.

According to Council chair, Kym Koch Thompson, Baker's 18 years of experience on staff with the Council, including her four years in the deputy position will ensure a seamless transition.

"Kim will be able to step into the leadership role without missing a beat," Thompson said. "She's been an important part of focusing the agency's efforts on building cultural infrastructure over the past few years and she has some new ideas to further engage artists and arts organizations in communities around Oklahoma "

During her tenure as deputy director, Baker helped the Council weather a 21 percent overall reduction to its budget due to state and federal funding cuts, and helped oversee the development of the statewide Oklahoma Arts Conference, the Leadership Arts program, and the creation of the agency's e-Grant system. Baker also managed policy development and human resources for the Council, is a Certified Public Manager candidate, and successfully completed the Center for Non-Profit Management's course for non-profit management.

About the Oklahoma Arts Council
The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The Council?s mission is to lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

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