Durham Arts Council (DAC) has named Kathryn (Katie) Wyatt as the new Executive Director, and Arts Consulting Group (ACG) extends its congratulations on her leadership appointment. She will begin her tenure on August 1, 2025.
The Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and leading local arts agency in North Carolina dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the Triangle Region. For 71 years, DAC has served as a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham—it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all community members throughout Durham County and beyond. Each year, DAC serves over 500,000 visitors, program participants, more than 2,000 artists, and more than 300 arts and culture organizations.
Wyatt is already deeply rooted in Durham’s arts ecosystem. As the co-founder and founding Executive Director of Kidznotes, she helped launch North Carolina’s first El Sistema-inspired music for social change program, right from the DAC building. Under her leadership from 2009 to 2016, Kidznotes grew from a startup to a nationally recognized nonprofit serving more than 500 students annually across the Triangle.
A professional violist as well as a nonprofit leader in the arts, Wyatt has performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles around the world. As an arts administrator, she has held leadership positions at the North Carolina Symphony and was the founding Executive Director of El Sistema USA. Most recently, she led a transformational growth period at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, expanding capacity, restoring historic buildings, and tripling its operating budget in just three years.
As Executive Director, Wyatt will lead the Council’s wide-ranging work: from grantmaking and arts education to exhibitions, cultural events, and advocacy for the region’s creative economy. She will also spearhead strategic efforts to expand access, equity, and impact across all of DAC’s programs and partnerships.
“I envision contributing to the Durham community as an arts partner that champions the power and potential of all people for creativity, artistic excellence, and the ability to change the world through the arts,” Wyatt said. “I share DAC’s vision to support our country’s vibrant diversity through inspiring performances, education, opportunity, and the resources the Council can provide.”
ACG is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement, strategic planning & community engagement, and facilities & program planning and research services for the arts and culture industry. ACG consultants are located in communities across the United States and Canada to best serve the needs of our clients. ACG team members have decades of combined senior leadership experience in every artistic and cultural discipline and area of functional management expertise.