Sarah Ganz Blythe appointed director of Harvard Art Museums
- Sarah Ganz Blythe has been appointed as the Elizabeth and John Moors Cabot Director of the Harvard Art Museums, bringing over 25 years of museum experience from institutions such as the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art.
- Ganz Blythe has a strong foundation in teaching and community engagement, evidenced by her positions at Brown University, Wellesley College, and RISD, as well as her extensive publications on museum history, art pedagogy, and underrepresented women artists.
- With a vision to build on the accomplishments of her predecessor Martha Tedeschi, who led significant initiatives like the renovation of the museums and the waiver of ticket fees, Ganz Blythe aims to guide the Harvard Art Museums into a new era of academic and cultural excellence.
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A new era is dawning for the Harvard Art Museums as Sarah Ganz Blythe takes the helm as the Elizabeth and John Moors Cabot Director. With over 25 years of museum experience, Ganz Blythe brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and leadership to guide the institution forward. Her appointment, effective August 12, follows a nationwide search that included outreach to hundreds of stakeholders and collaboration with a university-wide search advisory committee.
A Career of Excellence
Sarah Ganz Blythe is a highly respected curator, educator, and scholar. She joins Harvard from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum, where she has held leadership positions for the past 15 years, including serving as its interim director from 2020 to 2023. During her tenure at RISD, she led the museum through the pandemic, resulting in rebounded attendance, expanded board participation, a balanced budget, a robust traveling exhibition program, an increase in acquisitions by underrepresented artists, and refurbished galleries.
Prior to her roles at RISD, Ganz Blythe worked in curatorial and educational positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Her deep connections to the Harvard Art Museums began during her undergraduate studies at Wellesley College, where she was a conservation intern. This early experience sparked a lifelong passion for art and museums, which has continued to shape her career.
A Commitment to Teaching and Community
Ganz Blythe's dedication to teaching and community engagement is evident in her extensive work at various academic institutions. She has taught at Brown University, Wellesley College, and RISD, and has published widely on the complicated histories of museums, art pedagogy, and underrepresented women artists. Her publications include "Why Art Museums? The Unfinished Work of Alexander Dorner," with Andrew Martinez, and "Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch," with Dominic Molon and Kajette Solomon.
A Vision for the Future
Interim Provost John Manning emphasized Ganz Blythe's "great knowledge, creativity, judgment, and leadership experience," highlighting her commitment to teaching, learning, collaboration, and engagement with the museums' extraordinary communities. Ganz Blythe herself expressed her excitement in returning to the Harvard Art Museums, stating, "As a student, my experiences with the Harvard Art Museums revealed the profound rewards of engaging deeply with and thinking expansively about art. I am thrilled to return and have the opportunity to guide this dynamic institution as it collaborates with students, faculty, staff, artists, and community partners.".
A Legacy of Excellence
Ganz Blythe succeeds Martha Tedeschi, who is retiring after leading the Harvard Art Museums since July 2016. Tedeschi's tenure saw significant milestones, including the permanent waiver of ticket fees and the completion of a $350 million, six-year renovation that combined the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum into a single entity. Ganz Blythe looks forward to building on Tedeschi's achievements and continuing the museums' tradition of excellence in art history, conservation, and conservation science.
Conclusion
Sarah Ganz Blythe's appointment marks a significant milestone in the Harvard Art Museums' history. With her exceptional leadership skills and deep commitment to teaching and community engagement, she is poised to guide the museums into a new era of academic and cultural excellence. As the Harvard Art Museums continue to play a leading role in the development of art history and conservation, Ganz Blythe's expertise and passion will undoubtedly shape the future of these esteemed institutions.
