About Bottinelli.co

Lora Bottinelli is the owner and principal of Bottinelli Co LLC, offering specialized consulting and advising services. Her clients include government agencies, non-profits, museums and professional associations supporting folk and traditional arts and communities across the United States.  She currently serves as a board member with Mid Atlantic Arts.

Previously, Lora served as the Executive Director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) for five years, supporting its work to present the National Folk Festival, Richmond Folk Festival, Lowell Folk Festival, Montana Folk Festival, the National Heritage Fellowships, and work in National Parks throughout the country.

Prior to joining NCTA, Lora served as the Executive Director of the Ward Foundation and its museum. As folklorist there, she established the Lower Shore Traditions Folklife Program, co-directed the American Folklife Center Field School in Crisfield, Maryland, supported the 2004 Smithsonian Folklife Festival Mid Atlantic Water Ways program, and designed the Pass It On: Cultural Traditions of the Eastern Shore K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide. She was responsible for major capital upgrades to the museum, including the planning and opening of the John A. Luetkemeyer Sr and Thomas F. Mullan Jr, Legacy Center. She also was a driving force in City of Salisbury’s successful application to host the National Folk Festival.

Lora served two terms on the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) in leadership roles including the Executive Committee and Treasurer, and partnered in developing its strategic plan. As chair of the Advocacy Committee, she worked in coordination with the Maryland Citizens for the Arts to secure the Special Fund for Preservation of Cultural Arts. She served on the MSAC’s Diversity Committee, working to engage people of diverse backgrounds throughout the state. 

She has her Bachelor's degree in American Studies and English from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Livingston College).  She holds her Master’s degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming.

A common thread in her success has been the building of partnerships at the local, regional, state and national levels. Lora is a passionate folk arts advocate and an active member of the Living Traditions Network and the Mid Atlantic Folklife section of the American Folklore Society . She also supports conservation efforts, including serving as a board member for Lower Shore Land Trust.  She lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with her family, where she is a member of the Village Improvement Association and General Federation of Women’s Clubs.