photo by: Lawrence Arts Center

Ben Ahlvers is pictured with the Lawrence Arts Center

A more than 20-year collaborator with the Lawrence Arts Center has been named as its new executive director.

Ben Ahlvers, who has been serving as the nonprofit’s interim executive director, was announced as the Lawrence Arts Center’s new executive director on Friday.

Ahlvers has worked in the areas of exhibitions, education and operations at the Arts Center for the last 20 years, according to a statement from the center. In addition, Ahlvers also is a nationally-recognized ceramic artist, and is an expert in the field of resources for artists and has broad connections in the world of modern art.

“The Board is thrilled that Ben has agreed to stay on as the permanent Executive Director of the Lawrence Arts Center,” Amy Lee, Lawrence Arts Center Board chair, said in a press release. “His long tenure with, and love for, the Arts Center, as well as his strong ties to the community, make him an ideal person to lead the organization. Ben has demonstrated strong leadership and implemented positive changes while serving as the Interim Director, and we’re excited about the next chapter.”

Ahlvers said he looks forward to building upon the Arts Center’s more than 50-year history of serving the Lawrence community’s cultural needs.

“There is a long and rich history of dedicated, creative people who have helped establish this unique organization in the community, and I’m proud to be a part of that,” Ahlvers said in a press release. “I’m ready to do the work and look forward to serving in this role.”

The hiring of Ahlvers brings to a close a lengthy search for a new director that began after chief executive officer Margaret Weisbrod Morris suddenly resigned in August 2024. In early 2025, the Arts Center laid off at least seven salaried employees, as the center told donors it was facing an “unprecedented financial challenge” related to inflation and lingering impacts from the COVID pandemic.

Ahlvers took over as interim executive director in July, after the previous interim leader, board member Tom Huang, returned to his faculty role at the University of Kansas.