Leigh Taylor Mickelson is a nonprofit arts executive, strategic consultant, and artist with 26+ years of experience leading and transforming arts organizations. She has successfully guided multiple nonprofits through leadership transitions, strategic planning initiatives, and organizational growth, helping small grassroots institutions evolve into nationally recognized centers of excellence with broad community impact.

From 2006–2019, Mickelson led Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY, through a period of remarkable growth, serving as Executive Director for the final six years. Under her leadership, the organization doubled audience engagement, increased earned revenue by 38%, and grew contributed revenue by 142%, while expanding programming, education, and community outreach. Prior, she spent nine years as Exhibitions Director at Baltimore Clayworks, developing national and international exhibition programming and educational initiatives. She also served on the board of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) from 2013–2018 as Exhibitions Director, organizing major national exhibitions and conferences.

Since 2019, she has led LTM Arts Consulting, LLC, providing strategic guidance, interim leadership, program development, and capacity-building services to arts organizations across the country. Clients have included Jazz Forum Arts, Westchester Ballet Company, Silvermine Arts Center, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, Hudson Valley MOCA, and others. Her expertise includes nonprofit and change management, board development, fundraising and grant writing, operational restructuring, and program expansion.

Mickelson has facilitated numerous leadership transitions, including interim executive roles at Westchester Youth Alliance, Voices of Ascension, Dances for a Variable Population, Garrison Art Center, and Hudson Valley MOCA, strengthening governance, financial systems, and staff capacity. She is adept at aligning mission, vision, and programmatic priorities with long-term sustainability goals, guiding organizations through complex transitions and strategic planning processes.

 LinkedIn: Leigh Taylor Mickelson