Nutt began her teaching career in Sheffield at the Firs Hill Branch Art School, then the Sheffield School of Art and the Sheffield Training College for Teachers.[2] In 1919 Nutt accepted Arthur Lismer's offer to succeed him as the Principal of the Victoria School of Art and Design, becoming the second female principal after Katharine Evans.[3][4] In 1925 Nutt changed the name of the school to the Nova Scotia College of Art.[3] During her time, she faced controversy and was often opposed by faculty and students due to her conservative methods.[4] One of her conflicts led to the dismissal of instructor, Stanley Royle, who later became the head of fine arts department at Mount Allison University.[4] Despite controversy, Nutt was a strong supporter of the Nova Scotia Society of Artists, and went on to support many associations during her lifetime.[4]
She remained at the Nova Scotia College of Art until 1943.[2] During this time Nutt authored several books; Flower Drawing with the Children (1916), Significance (1921), The Why in the Drawing Lesson (1929), and The World of Appearance (1935).[3]