Newberry Library
Sarah Boyd Alvarez is an experienced museum and educational leader with a strong background in art history and public engagement. Currently serving as the Director of Exhibitions at the Newberry Library since August 2022, Alvarez oversees the annual exhibition program, collaborating to create impactful displays that enhance audience engagement. Prior to this role, Alvarez was a Senior Fellow for Public Art History at Smarthistory, focusing on underrepresented narratives in art education. With two decades at the Art Institute of Chicago, Alvarez held several key positions, ultimately serving as Senior Director of Students and Educators, where responsibilities included developing resources and programs for K-12 education and enhancing accessibility in learning experiences. Alvarez holds a BA and MA in Art History from Skidmore College and Rutgers University, respectively.
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Newberry Library
At the Newberry Library, visitors and researchers explore centuries of human history, from the Middle Ages to the present. The library’s collection—some 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, and 5 million manuscript pages—connects people directly to the past, accessible to all in Newberry reading rooms, program spaces, exhibition galleries, and online digital resources. Since its founding in 1887, the Newberry has remained dedicated to deepening our collective understanding of ourselves and the world around us. As individuals engage with Newberry collections and staff, they discover stories that bridge the past and present and illuminate the human condition. The Newberry’s community of discovery is driven by a shared commitment to promoting research, inspiring learning, and using inquiry across the humanities as a tool for engaging critically in a vibrant democratic society.