Exeter, NH (February 9, 2007)—Phillips Exeter Academy’s Lamont Gallery Director, Karen Burgess Smith, has been named chair of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts by Governor John Lynch.

Smith joined PEA’s art department faculty in 2003, serving as an instructor and director of the Lamont Art Gallery. Since then, she has organized and served as curator for more than 15 original exhibitions for the Academy, yielding positive reviews from Art New England magazine and other industry publications.

In her new position, Smith presides over monthly council meetings; communicates with council members; reviews grant and artist fellowship applications submitted by a wide community of New Hampshire artists, communities and organizations; and reviews state arts council panel recommendations.

Smith says in her new role, one of her initiatives will be to incorporate the arts into areas and institutions where art is not often found. “One of the many strengths of the Arts Council is our interest in expanding the roles and visibility of the fine and performing arts. One way that this can happen is by linking the arts to specific educational or societal issues, such as healthcare and aging.” She adds, “We have incredible art and artists in New Hampshire, and that makes being on the State Arts Council such an honor. It's important to note that the artists, writers and performers can range from the virtually unknown to the well-experienced, and they bring their talents to schools, communities and the general public everyday through Arts Council grants and other support..”

When she first learned of her appointment, Smith says she was completely thrilled. “I have been working with the state arts council for several years now, and my new role is a wonderful compliment,” she says.

She also noted a home-state relationship to Governor Lynch. “The Governor and I both graduated from the University of New Hampshire in the same year (1974). Although we did not know each other at the time, I thought it was wonderful that one UNH graduate would appoint another UNH graduate,” she says.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts is the advisory Council for the Division of the Arts within the Department of Cultural Resources. It was established in 1965 as the official state arts agency with legislation designed to insure that the role of the arts in the life of our communities will continue to play a significant part in the welfare and educational experience of the citizens of New Hampshire. Funding comes from appropriations from the governor and the New Hampshire State Legislature, and from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For further information, contact the Lamont Gallery at (603) 777-3461. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330. A complete list of upcoming events is available on the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309 and on our website at www.exeter.edu.

Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, students come from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. The diverse student body comes from approximately 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 26 foreign countries.          

Learn about Exeter's Lamont Gallery...

Read more about the New Hampshire State Arts Council...