The Durham Arts Council is proud to announce the appointment of Katie Wyatt as its new Executive Director, effective August 1, 2025. A dynamic leader in arts education, community engagement, and nonprofit strategy, Wyatt brings over two decades of experience to DAC at a pivotal time in its 70+ year history and following the retirement of Sherry DeVries and her outstanding 23 years of service to the organization.
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.
“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.”
The DAC Board of Trustees selected Wyatt following a national search, lead by the Arts Consulting Group, for a visionary leader to guide the organization into its next chapter.
“Katie brings a visionary blend of leadership and a deep commitment to positive transformation through the arts,” said Tabitha Concepcion, President of the DAC Board of Trustees. “Her passion for amplifying inclusion, expanding access, and honoring the power of diverse voices will strengthen DAC as a cultural catalyst in Durham’s richly diverse community. With a proven dedication to community partnership and artistic excellence, Katie will live and nurture DAC’s mission as a force that unifies and uplifts every voice through shared cultural experiences, creative expression, and the universal language of art.”
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 am excited by the opportunity to be a thought partner to the board of directors and staff team as we uphold the Durham Arts Council’s legacy of serving as a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham,” Wyatt said. “Together we will embody the Arts Council’s mission to lead, inspire, and promote excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and actively support the arts for all the people of our community.”
