Ohio Arts Council Hires New Arts Learning Program Coordinator
by Amy McKay
Chiquita Mullins Lee has been hired as the Ohio Arts Council's new Arts Learning program coordinator. Starting in early January, Mullins Lee is now the contact for all OAC Arts Learning programs, including the Artist in Residence and Arts Partnership programs.
"I am delighted to welcome Chiquita to the OAC staff. She brings a wide variety of skills and experience to this position, both artistically and administratively, as well as a deep passion for the arts and arts education. I am sure our constituents will enjoy working with Chiquita," said OAC Executive Director Julie S. Henahan.
Mullins Lee is already very familiar with the OAC's Arts Learning work, having served as a teaching artist for the agency since 2007. As a member of the OAC's Artist Directory, she has facilitated creative writing activities for all age groups in schools across Ohio. Since 2006, she also has coordinated the OAC's annual Poetry Out Loud statewide program and competition, promoting the power of poetry to help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. Through her efforts, participation in the Ohio Poetry Out Loud program has grown steadily over the last six years.
In addition to her work with the OAC, Mullins Lee is an accomplished writer and communications professional. Pierce to the Soul, her critically-acclaimed play on the life of renowned wood-carver Elijah Pierce, received its world premiere in April 2010 at CATCO (Contemporary American Theatre Company). Other plays written by Mullins Lee have been staged in Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi and New York, including Exclusive Deluxe Accommodations, To Hear Ruby Sing, and Strutt Regulars. Additionally, she has published poetry and creative nonfiction in a number of literary journals and anthologies, including Red Thread Gold Thread, an anthology featuring Ohio poets, and Fifth Wednesday Journal, a Chicago literary magazine. She was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Mullins Lee is the owner of Declaration, Inc., a developer of creative writing, editorial, theatrical and performance projects. Prior to opening her own business, Mullins Lee worked as a program coordinator for library communications at The Ohio State University Libraries, and as a program development coordinator for the National Black Programming Consortium, an organization focused on the distribution, promotion, archiving, recognition and support of film and video programming by producers of African descent.
Formerly of Atlanta, Georgia, Mullins Lee is currently involved in Worship Arts at New Covenant Believers Church. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in drama/film and psychology from Vassar College; a Master of Arts in radio and television management from Ohio University; and a Master of Arts in journalism from The Ohio State University.
About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
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