Leslie Nottingham
About Leslie Nottingham
Leslie Nottingham is the Cultural Arts Supervisor for the City of Ocala, where she manages public art initiatives and community engagement events. She has a background in theater and decorative arts, with experience at institutions such as the Smithsonian and Christie's.
Work at Ocala
Leslie Nottingham serves as the Cultural Arts Supervisor for the City of Ocala since 2020. In this role, she oversees the biennial Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition, managing various aspects including applications, installation, and jury selection. She also organizes special events such as the Beginning of Bolted Art (BOBA) and Sculpture Stroll. Additionally, she manages the Art Park Series and Levitt Concert Series, contributing to the cultural landscape of Ocala. Nottingham plays a significant role in planning community engagement events and dedications related to public art projects, ensuring active participation from the community.
Education and Expertise
Leslie Nottingham holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theater from the California Institute of the Arts, where she studied from 2000 to 2003. She furthered her education at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, earning a Master's degree in History of Decorative Art from 2006 to 2010. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her work in cultural arts and public engagement.
Professional Experience
Before her current position, Leslie Nottingham accumulated diverse experience in various roles. She worked at the Smithsonian Institution as a Fellowship from 2006 to 2007 and as a Gallery Attendant for two months in 2007. At Christie's, she held multiple positions including Business Intelligence Analyst for World Art, Administrator for Books and Manuscripts, Client Service Representative, and Viewing Assistant, spanning from 2011 to 2016. Additionally, she served as a Historical Interpreter at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop from 2017 to 2020.
Public Art Management
In her role as Cultural Arts Supervisor, Leslie Nottingham is responsible for maintaining and assisting with the care of the City of Ocala's public art collection. She actively researches and develops funding sources through regional, state, and federal grant opportunities to support public art projects. Her work ensures that Ocala's public art initiatives are well-funded and effectively managed.