Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts (The Bray) has selected Rebecca Harvey as Executive Director, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). She began her tenure on July 1, 2022.
Harvey is a seasoned leader in arts education. Her career spans more than 25 years including numerous roles at The Ohio State University. As professor and chair of the Department of Art, Harvey oversaw, developed, and managed its business operations and faculty, while acting as the primary advocate for the department. She also served at the Royal College of Art in London as head of programme, applied arts. Most recently, she has been director and professor at Ball State University’s School of Art envisioning the department’s long-term goals, restructuring curricular, and incorporating the voices of faculty.
Harvey received her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and master of fine arts degree in ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She has received international recognition for her artistic practice, including residencies in Dresden, Germany; Uppsala, Sweden; Jingdezhen, China; and Olafsfjordur, Iceland.
In making the announcement, Director Emeritus and Special Projects Manager at The Bray Steven Young Lee said, “Rebecca is wholly committed to collaborative, transparent and transformative leadership, always striving to create an environment where the community can thrive, and we believe she will bring an exciting, fresh perspective to The Bray. With her extensive leadership experience at complex educational institutions, her passion for students and her commitment to the ceramic arts, she is the ideal person to lead us in our next phase of growth and vision, and we are honored to welcome Rebecca to The Bray.”
“I am thrilled to be joining The Bray. I see my role as executive director as a way to take all of my skills and experiences, from boots-on-the-ground work to future planning, and help further evolve this storied organization,” said Harvey. “I am over the moon about the possibilities ahead—building upon The Bray’s tremendous history and continuing its essential work for an inclusive and collaborative future—and delighted to be able to center that conversation on all things ceramic.”
“Congratulations to Rebecca Harvey on her placement as The Bray’s new Executive Director,” said ACG Vice President Jenna Deja. “Harvey is a people-oriented and creative leader driven by new ideas, backed by her passion for supporting the contemporary arts. Harvey is primed to inspire excellence and provide the right resources The Bray and its community need.”
July 2022.