Executive Director
Springfield Regional Arts Council
Leslie Forrester is the Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Arts Council, an organization that aims to transform lives and enrich the community through the arts. Her work focuses on arts advocacy, education, and collaboration. Leslie is Board President of Missouri Citizens for the Arts, advocating for arts and culture across the state. Leslie also teaches courses in Art History and Art Appreciation at OTC. In her spare time, she enjoys snuggling her wonderfully independent young daughters, Evelyn and Charlotte.
Prior to her appointment in 2013, Leslie served for two years as a Program Specialist for the Missouri Arts Council in St. Louis. Her responsibilities included managing the programs for community arts and touring as well as traveling around the state to support arts organizations both large and small. Leslie holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Arts Management from Culver-Stockton College.