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Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., director of the ����Թ� Museum, has been honored with the inaugural from Summit ArtSpace, recognizing her outstanding work in expanding access to the arts and championing inclusive creative spaces.

The Artist Empowerment Award honors local artists, artist-supporting organizations, or artist advocates who use their voice and platform to challenge traditional notions about who can become a practicing artist. Recipients exemplify the breadth and depth of their communities, inspire and facilitate change, and help create and strengthen inclusive artist-centered connections and spaces.

Since joining ����Թ� State as director of the internationally recognized fashion, textile and design museum, Spinner Liska has prioritized expanding access for students and local communities. Her recent initiatives include launching an installation on adaptive fashion designed for people with disabilities, introducing a student-led programming series at the museum, and working with her team to introduce braille labels for the first time in the museum’s history.

“I’m truly honored to receive the inaugural Artist Empowerment Award from Summit ArtSpace and proud to champion creative expression and amplify diverse voices,” said Spinner Liska said. “Heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team at ����Թ� State and to all the inspiring artists and arts professionals I'm humbled to stand beside.”

Spinner Liska’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion extends beyond her current role. As Managing Director of FRONT International, she developed partnerships with museums and public spaces, championed WAGE certification, and led an award-winning accessibility initiative to open arts access to people of all abilities. She also founded and chaired the Ennials Alliance, a professional network of arts leaders who direct city-wide exhibitions across North America.

Her dedication to the arts community was recently recognized with the Ohio Museums Association’s Professional of the Year Award for her work uplifting museums, artists and arts organizations across the region.

Recently featured in ����Թ� State Magazine, Spinner Liska brings impressive academic credentials to her role, holding a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Johns Hopkins University, a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School, a Ph.D. from Yale University, and an Executive Education certificate from Case Western’s Weatherhead School of Management. She serves on the boards of the Yale Alumni Association of Cleveland, Zygote Press and The Sculpture Center.

The ����Թ� Museum continues to serve as a vital cultural resource under Spinner Liska’s leadership, celebrating the transformative power of art while building strong community connections and supporting artists of all backgrounds.