Cookeville Hires New Cultural Arts Director

The City of Cookeville has hired Rachel Wingo as the new Cultural Arts Superintendent.

Wingo is just the third person to hold the position. She replaces Chad McDonald, promoted to Assistant Director of Leisure Services. Wingo said her goal is to continue the great work that McDonald and Rick Woods have already done.

“Working with both the staff at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, the Cookeville History Museum, and Cookeville Depot Museum was also appealing as I’ve seen the work that they do in the community and everything that they are already creating,” Wingo said. “I think that we are very fortunate here to have the arts scene here that we do and I wanted to be even more of a part in that.”

Wingo has spent eight years in higher education as a professor at Tennessee Tech University. She is also the Executive Director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra. Wingo said her experience has prepared her for the new role in serving Cookeville.

“Working in all these forward-facing public roles in my jobs has been the most helpful for preparing me with working with and in our community,” Wingo said.

Wingo said the arts are important to our community and provide an avenue for people to think about the fun aspects of life.

“I think the arts are what we do that makes us human,” Wingo said. “It’s beyond just working, eating, and making sure we know where the basics of life are going to come from next. The arts are about the parts of being human that we actually get to enjoy and our tagline is “We make the good life better” and that’s what we really want to focus on.”

Wingo said Cookeville has a packed full schedule with different plays and activities for people to participate in and enjoy. Wingo said the city will continue to rent out facilities to other arts programs in the community.