New leadership takes over as the festival prepares for its next phase of growth.
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The International Festival of Arts & Ideas has named Nico W. Okoro as its next executive director following a national search, the New Haven-based organization announced Monday.
Okoro, a New Haven resident and founder of cultural strategy and consulting firm BLDG FUND LLC, will assume the role full time on Aug. 1. She has already begun working with festival staff and board leaders as part of a transition process.
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas is a New Haven-based nonprofit that presents year-round arts and cultural programming and hosts an annual festival each May and June that attracts artists, speakers and performers from around the world. More than 85% of its programs are free to the public.
Okoro's appointment fills a leadership vacancy created when former Executive Director Shelley Quiala stepped down in 2024. The Rev. Kevin G. Ewing served as interim executive director through the end of 2025.
Okoro has more than two decades of experience in arts administration, curation and cultural programming, according to an announcement.
She previously held leadership roles at NXTHVN, the Studio Museum in Harlem and Rush Arts Gallery. She has also advised arts organizations, foundations, artists and public agencies on strategy, organizational development and community engagement.
The festival's board said it selected Okoro after a months-long search conducted by executive search firm Creative Evolutions, which attracted candidates from across the country.
Currently, Okoro serves as founder and principal of BLDG FUND LLC, a consulting firm that advises cultural organizations and artists. During her career, she has organized more than 40 exhibitions and hundreds of public programs, according to an announcement.
In addition to her professional work, Okoro serves on the boards of the National Academy of Design and the Westville Renaissance Alliance.
She has taught at Yale School of Art, Brown University, Barnard College, Hartford Art School and Gateway Community College.
