SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Board of Directors of the National Museum of Dance announces the appointment of Laura DiRado as the new Director of the Museum and School of the Arts. DiRado had served as Interim Director since September 2017. As a freelance graphic designer specializing in interpretive display design, she joined the National Museum of Dance in 2013 in the position of Design and Development Coordinator. This role subsequently evolved into Exhibitions Coordinator and Designer which included management of the Museum’s archive and collection. DiRado designed the Museum’s recently published book, National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame: Celebrating 30 Years, and she will continue to design all exhibitions presented by the Museum.
In her new capacity as Director, she plans to continue to expand the extensive curriculum at the School of the Arts, most recently adding Dance Through Parkinson’s, a schedule of daily yoga classes, and master classes with renowned dance artists such as Savion Glover (March 2 and 3, 2018). She also plans to enhance and increase the Museum’s exhibition-related programming and community outreach, continue to grow the Museum collection and archive, restore and reinvigorate the once robust volunteer docent program, and undertake several capital improvements in both the Museum and Lewis A. Swyer Studios, many of which are already underway.
DiRado serves on the Board of Directors of the Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). She is the founder of Team Dance Museum, an active member of the LLS Team in Training sports endurance program, which raises money for LLS while training for marathon, half-marathon, triathlon, and/or cycling events. She is also the co-creator of A Purple Tie Affair, an annual fundraiser hosted by the Museum and supported by Team Dance Museum that benefits local charities helping families battling cancer.
For more information about the National Museum of Dance and School of the Arts,visit DanceMuseum.org.
