Celebrating AS220’s Ruth Harvey - Inside Art with Michael Rose

Celebrating AS220’s Ruth Harvey - Inside Art with Michael Rose

Arts institutions rely on administrative staff with many areas of expertise. At AS220, one of Providence’s anchor cultural organizations, Development Director Ruth Harvey is a  multi-talented individual who has contributed greatly to the local arts community. Originally from New Zealand, Harvey recently announced that she would be leaving her post to return home. Her remarkable influence both within and beyond her workplace deserves recognition.

Harvey first visited AS220 a decade ago and was, in her words, “wowed” by the organization’s incredible range of activities. Offering everything from artistic programs for youth to affordable housing at their downtown campus, Harvey says that AS220 “was totally unlike anything I’d ever seen before.” Her tenure with the organization has spanned over seven years and her impact is undeniable.

During her time at AS220 she has grown individual giving, and was integral to the fundraising necessary to renovate the group’s Empire Street facility. This is the type of work one expects from a Development Director, but Harvey has consistently gone beyond a traditional role. She has taught in the organization’s Practice//Practice professional development program and can often be found working as a welcoming greeter at AS220 events. She is also part of the organization’s Leadership Team with Co-Executive Directors Anjel Newmann and Shauna Duffy, who she says she’s been honored to serve alongside.

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Harvey credits her own layered professional experience for her success as Development Director, saying, “I’ve worked as a curator, a collection manager, an art writer, and more. Having a deep affinity to our artistic programs, and an unwavering belief that art is essential to community wellbeing makes it much easier to inspire others to support AS220!”

Describing the skills needed for her position, Harvey states in part, “For me, the role is about having a passion for the work and building genuine, reciprocal relationships. We’re so lucky to have such fantastic donors who share a passion for AS220, and many of them have become good friends.”

Community and connections have made AS220 a continued magnet for creative energies. Of it’s draw, Harvey points to the depth of their programs, but also underscores the organization’s unique philosophy. She says, “AS220 helps people expand how they think about art. But for me, the thing that really stands out is the spirit of collaboration within AS220’s artistic community. You’ve got artists coming together to make amazing things happen. It’s magical to feel part of something that encourages so many different forms of creative expression.”

 

Fairey's 30th Anniversary Exhibition

Among the varied opportunities her role has afforded her, Harvey highlights a favorite event, saying, “As a trained art historian, it was pretty cool to help world-famous street artist Shepard Fairey realize his 100th mural and 30th-anniversary exhibition too!”

When asked what excites her most about the future of the organization, Harvey says emphatically, “I’m most excited about how AS220’s Racial Justice Initiative, led by our unstoppable Co-Executive Director Anjel Newmann, will shape AS220’s future in the coming years. The initiative is working to center communities that have been historically excluded from opportunities in our city, and to ensure there is an anti-racist culture at AS220. Our organization has always woven social justice into our work, and I know the staff’s deep commitment to anti-racism will ensure AS220 remains a vital and vibrant community resource.”

Already impactful and continually striving, AS220 will now have a passionate ambassador abroad. Through Harvey, the organization’s influence will resonate. She says, “I plan to use what I’ve learned at AS220 -- the power of collaborative leadership; how art can build community and civic engagement; a clearer understanding of systemic racism and its impacts -- and apply it at home. Those lessons are just some of the great gifts AS220 has given me.”

When asked what she will miss most about Harvey, AS220’s Co-Executive Director Shauna Duffy says, “The things I will miss most about Ruth are her willingness to do whatever is needed to support this organization, her colleagues and the whole community, whether it's officially her job or just something that needs to get done; and the perspective she has brought to AS220, having traveled around the world to be a part of this community.”

Harvey, who will be departing in mid-October, is undoubtedly leaving a legacy. She will be succeeded by the talented community-focused professional George “Gem” Marley.

As her tenure draws to a close, Harvey remains a great representative for Providence’s unjuried, uncensored art space. Speaking of AS220’s meaning to her, she says, “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to work here, to be part of something that supports anyone to express themselves in whatever way they find meaningful. AS220 has changed my view of what art is and who it's for.”

 

To learn more about AS220, visit www.as220.org.