Former Columbus (Ohio) Area Arts Council executive director Kathryn Armstrong has been named new development director at Saugatuck’s Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency.
She will oversee fundraising and manage patron, sponsor and foundation relationships for the 111-year-old School of the Art Institute of Chicago-affiliated local institution starting June 6.
Armstrong, who in 2009 held a project residency at Ox-Bow, in Columbus expanded programming and relations with neighbor art organizations.
“Having previously directed a community arts organization and with her roots in western Michigan,” said Ox-Bow board president Steve Meier, “Kathryn brings an infectious energy and fervent advocacy for connecting and sustaining broad community support for the arts and artists.
“We look forward to her leadership in deepening our network locally and nationally,” Meier said.
Before heading CAAC, Armstrong taught at the Herron School of Art & Design in Indianapolis and served as director for the Basile Center for Art, Design & Public Life. She has also participated in several artist residencies.
She holds an MFA in visual art and public life with an emphasis in sculpture from Herron School of Art & Design, an MA in studio art from Eastern Illinois University, and a BFA in photography from Indiana University.
“Ox-Bow,” said executive director Shannon Stratton, “is thrilled to welcome Kathryn to our senior management team. She is passionate about art and artists and able to translate that to the people who support or want to support the arts with ease.
“She is also an artist herself, with a history as an Ox-Bow resident. Having alumni return to the organization to contribute to its stewardship is a wonderful outcome; I can’t imagine a better fit.”
In her new role Armstrong will develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan to raise support for Ox-Bow programs, operations, scholarships, capital and endowment funds. Much of this will be accomplished through overseeing fundraising events, fostering and managing relationships with patrons and sponsors, and building and leading Ox-Bow’s growing development team.
“The opportunity to work with such a talented team, while helping advance the mission and be part of Ox- Bow’s legacy as a space for creativity and experimentation is beyond thrilling,” Armstrong said.