Lauren Haynes has been named the new Executive Director of Atlanta Contemporary, commencing her role on March 16. She takes over from interim director Everett Long, who has held the position since last summer, bringing a wealth of experience from her distinguished career in the art world.
Haynes's impressive background includes serving as Vice President of Arts & Culture and Head Curator at the Trust for Governors Island, an organization known for its vibrant arts initiatives including exhibitions, installations, and artist residencies. Her previous roles also include positions at the Queens Museum, Duke University’s Nasher Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary, and the Studio Museum in Harlem. She actively contributes to the art community as a board member of the Association of Art Museum Curators. Throughout her two-decade career, Haynes has curated significant exhibitions featuring works by acclaimed artists such as Tracey Rose, Lyle Ashton Harris, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alma Thomas, and Stanley Whitney.
Haynes's appointment is poised to usher in a period of stability for Atlanta Contemporary, an institution established in 1973 as an artists' collective. Her commitment to celebrating artists, fostering creative exploration, and advocating for diverse viewpoints aligns perfectly with the center's mission. The organization currently features six exhibitions, including solo presentations by Brittany Adeline King, Jean Shon, and Natalie Rose Eddings, as well as group shows exploring book arts, language-focused art, and a collaborative exhibit on Black Liberation imagery from the Johnson Publishing Company Archives.
The appointment of Lauren Haynes marks a promising chapter for Atlanta Contemporary, emphasizing leadership that champions artistic innovation and inclusivity. Her extensive experience and dedication to the arts will undoubtedly foster a dynamic environment for artists and art enthusiasts alike, reinforcing the institution's role as a vibrant cultural hub. Through her vision, the center is set to continue its legacy of supporting groundbreaking art and diverse narratives, contributing positively to the broader art landscape.