Saralyn Reece Hardy
Director Spencer Museum of Art
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Saralyn Reece Hardy is the Director of the Spencer Museum of Art, The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The Spencer Museum of Art serves the students, faculty and staff of the University, local and state-wide audiences through teaching, research and service. Hardy provides conceptual leadership and bears ultimate responsibility for curatorial and scholarly activities, fundraising, and public programs. Previously Hardy was Director of Museums and Visual Arts at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) where she received a distinguished service award in 2002. Her tenure at NEA provided perspective on U.S. museums, public and private funding agencies, and the role of artists in American society. Hardy was appointed to the NEA from her work as the Director of the Salina Art Center in Salina, Kansas. During this period, she developed a small community gallery to a year-round contemporary art center, featuring commissions, socially engaged programs and exhibitions, and artistic experimentation. Under Hardy’s leadership, the Salina Art Center developed a national and international exhibition schedule, year-round education programs, an interactive area for young people, and a film program. Hardy began her career as a research assistant at the Spencer Museum, working as a research assistant to an interdisciplinary humanities project involving all aspects of the University.

Saralyn Reece Hardy has served on a broad range of boards, advisory committees, and is an active juror and lecturer. She has been engaged as faculty and an advisor to the Getty Leadership Institute since 2003. Her concerns relate to the integration of art in society, the pivotal role of cultural leaders and their development, the need for artistic experimentation in community and academic life, and the connection of individual artists and educational institutions. Her primary areas of exhibition development relate to contemporary practices relating to the body, landscape, and memory.

Saralyn is a native of Kansas.

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Saralyn Reece Hardy