Contact: Lori Brooks, Director of Communications
405 951 0000 | lbrooks@okcontemp.org
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 6, 2018)
– Executive Director Donna Rinehart-Keever has asked the Oklahoma Contemporary Board of Trustees to begin planning for her retirement.
Since taking the helm, Rinehart-Keever has worked to build a strong leadership team and plan for Oklahoma Contemporary’s new Art Center, now under construction at NW 11th and Broadway.
“For five years, Donna has been carefully setting the foundation for our future and raising money to make certain that future will be a secure one,” said Board President and Founder Christian Keesee. “She has brought the right voices to leadership positions in both our Capital Campaign and in our staff while drumming up support and excitement in the community.”
Rinehart-Keever plans to have her successor in place by August, so that the new executive director can lead Oklahoma Contemporary into its new building in 2019. Keesee has asked board members Robert Clements, Aimee Harlow and Liz Eickman to join him in forming a local search committee.
“Donna left retirement to take this position, and her tenure was always intended to be short term,” Keesee said. “While happy for Donna to be spending more time with her family, we'll certainly miss her steady hand and lovely demeanor.”
Rinehart-Keever said she plans to remain involved with Oklahoma Contemporary and the launch of its new home in a to-be-announced significant role.
“I’m honored to have played a part in designing Oklahoma Contemporary’s future, and I’m looking forward to opening activities in the fall of 2019,” Rinehart-Keever said. “This position has been very special to me. It’s incredibly meaningful to end my career on a project that will change the cultural landscape of Oklahoma City.”
Keesee praised Rinehart-Keever’s work in the state’s art and nonprofit industries.
“I commend Donna for all she’s done for Oklahoma City’s artistic community,” he said. “Her leadership is legend. We all should be proud that Oklahoma Contemporary is a part of her professional legacy — a legacy that will endure for generations.”
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A media kit, including Rinehart-Keever’s bio and photos is at bit.ly/OC_DRKretires. Past press releases and information are archived at oklahomacontemporary.org/about/media. Interviews can be organized through Director of Communications Lori Brooks (lbrooks@okcontemp.org).
About Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, founded as City Arts Center in 1989 by businessman and philanthropist Christian Keesee and Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers, is an Oklahoma City nonprofit committed to providing accessible, inclusive arts experiences through free exhibitions, events and performances and by offering low-cost, high-quality arts classes and camps for youth and adults. Visit oklahomacontemporary.org.
