The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art has hired Rebecca K. Stoen as its new director of education to continue efforts to expand outreach in the local community and beyond. Stoen is a Hancock County native and will begin her role in mid-January.
OMFA director Jason Hayden said Stoen brings a wealth of experience in education and the arts. She holds a bachelor’s degree with a focus in art history from the University of Kentucky and is currently pursuing a master of library information science from UK.
Hayden said Stoen’s passion and qualifications made her an ideal choice for the permanent role.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have her as director of education because she brings an enormous amount of enthusiasm and experience,” Hayden said. “She’s been helping the museum since 2016, first as a volunteer and later part-time. She’s proven how valuable she is with any task she’s been given.”
Stoen has been volunteering and working part-time in the education department, where she helped provide art instruction to thousands of children as part of the museum’s Free Summer Art Camps.
She will now lead educational programming for both children and adults and help expand the museum’s community outreach. She and the museum staff plan to develop off-site programs aimed at supporting art education in area schools.
“I would love to see the community come together with the arts,” Stoen said. “I hear people say all the time, ‘I’m not artistic,’ but I think it’s important to show both children and adults that they are. They just have to open themselves up to it.”
The museum has long emphasized education, with three galleries specifically designed for youth engagement. These include the Michael E. Horn Family Foundation ArtLand, a fully equipped art studio offering free art instruction during regular museum hours; the John and Riley Hess Kaleidoscope Kave, which combines visual and performing arts learning experiences; and the Waymond Morris Young at Art Gallery, which showcases rotating exhibitions of art by children and school projects from the region.
The Free Summer Art Programs, launched in 2005 with support from the former Owensboro Grain Company, have introduced thousands of children to the visual arts. Hayden said the camps are designed to reach children from various socio-economic backgrounds, with half the seats reserved for those from community service organizations.
In her new role, Stoen will also expand educational opportunities for adults through guided tours, guest lectures, artist demonstrations, and workshops.
“I’m very excited and honored to be given this opportunity,” Stoen said. “It’s rare to get to work in a field you’re passionate about, and I’m so grateful to Jason Hayden and the museum board for trusting me with this role.”
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is located at the corner of 9th and Frederica streets and is free and open to the public. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 270-685-3181, visit omfa.us, or follow the museum on Facebook.
