Salina Art Center Board Names Serene Executive Director

Salina, Kansas (August 20, 2020) Misty Serene, has been appointed Executive Director by the Salina Art Center Board of Trustees. In the motion, members agreed, “We are grateful for her creative leadership and hard work over the past six months. We have full faith and confidence that Misty is equipped with the necessary skills to lead the Art Center into our future.”

Serene began serving as the Interim Executive Director in March, just two weeks before the pandemic struck Salina and businesses were closed. However, the Art Center maintained their programming and exhibition schedules transitioning to a fully virtual experience. Members and guests have been able to stream movies through the Cinema, take classes through kits and YouTube, and even view and talk about art online. Since re-opening the galleries in June, the Art Center has been balancing a hybrid programming schedule utilizing both virtual and in person opportunities to engage audiences in its mission.

“The last six months have provided a special opportunity for the Art Center Board to be able to gauge Misty’s mettle as an Interim Director,” said Sydney Soderberg Board President. “The challenges presented by the coronavirus could bring any executive director of a not-for-profit to their knees – and probably has. But Misty was undaunted and brought commitment, creativity, and a lot of hard work to open our largest exhibition of the year during a time of lockdown.   Misty is an innovator and communicator and believes in the power of contemporary art to create a dialogue on our culture and society.  She comes to work every day with enthusiasm for Salina Art Center and our mission. We look forward to her leadership.”

“It is humbling to look at the long line of Board members, Endowment Board members, past directors and staff who have lead the Art Center since 1978, and know these are the shoes you are now walking in,” said Serene. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by talented people who are part of the Art Center’s legacy and future.” Serene is a graduate of Fort Hays State University where she studied public administration. She has spent her career working in the non-profit sector building strong sustainable organizations through relationships, philanthropy, and good business practices.

Salina Art Center is a nonprofit contemporary art center founded in 1978 in Salina, KS. The Art Center, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1991, is governed by a board of trustees; its mission is "to create exchanges among art, artists, and audiences that reveal life." Art Center programs integrate regional, national, and international artists and community audiences in civic, artistic, and pedagogical dialogues based in artistic presentations. Local and global issues are addressed through artist residencies, exhibitions, independent films and documentaries, classes, temporary public art projects, and youth development initiatives. The Art Center has focused on facilitating greater interaction between artists and the community and now provides accessible quality art experiences that embody artistic and intellectual integrity; education and outreach programs that serve a diverse range of audiences and community needs; and an open forum for the genuine exchange of ideas within the context of contemporary art and film.

“I’m excited by the Art Center’s potential to inspire and influence our community. Salina’s citizens are motivated to make our community great, and we see it happening in new ways every day. Just like parks, streets, athletic competition, and public safety, arts are a positive outward expression of human creativity and potential. As we navigate through our nation’s current troubling times of discord and fear, engaging with art – making, talking about, looking at – can help us heal.” Serene said, “I look forward to serving our community and the Art Center.”

***

Founded in 1978, the Salina Art Center is a 501(c)3 creating exchanges among art, artists, and audiences that reveal life.  Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Art Center’s galleries, Art Center Cinema, and Warehouse are located in the heart of downtown Salina, KS, Learn more online at www.salinaartcenter.org. Salina Art Center exhibitions and programs are supported in part by donors, members, underwriters, foundations, the City of Salina, and the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.