Thurber House has announced Barbara Fant as its next executive director. A nationally recognized poet and arts leader with over 20 years of experience, Fant will begin her tenure in September. She returns to Columbus after working with Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. Her appointment signals a new phase of growth and community engagement for the 42-year-old literary arts organization.

Fant, who is also the founder of the Black Women Rise Poetry Collective and co-founder of Network Ohio for Arts and Healing, has a history of leadership roles in Columbus, including at The Columbus Foundation and as artistic director at the Harmony Project. Her work has focused on using writing and storytelling for connection and healing, particularly in underserved communities. She expressed excitement about building bridges across disciplines and communities to strengthen Thurber House as a literary arts hub.

The announcement coincides with the upcoming 25th Thurber Prize for American Humor awards ceremony on May 7, celebrating humor writing and cartoon art. Fant is expected to attend the event. Thurber House is also preparing for its summer programming, including the Summer Literary Picnics series and various writing workshops.