Joy Armstrong, Ph.D.
About Joy Armstrong, Ph.D.
Joy Armstrong, Ph.D., serves as the Director and Curator at the University of Colorado, where she focuses on arts engagement and community building. With a background in art history and extensive experience in program development, she has held various roles in the arts sector, including curatorial positions and leadership in non-profit organizations.
Current Role at University of Colorado
Joy Armstrong serves as the Director and Curator at the University of Colorado, a position she has held since 2023. In this role, she focuses on public art offerings and experiential programs at the Galleries of Contemporary Art at UCCS. Her responsibilities include overseeing exhibitions, engaging with the community, and promoting arts education. Armstrong emphasizes the importance of arts engagement and its social impact, aiming to enhance access to the arts for diverse audiences.
Previous Experience at Kent State University
Before her current role, Joy Armstrong worked at Kent State University as the Assistant to the Director of Galleries from 2006 to 2008. During her tenure, she contributed to gallery operations and supported various exhibitions. This experience laid the foundation for her subsequent roles in the art sector, enhancing her skills in curation and gallery management.
Education and Expertise
Joy Armstrong holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, which she completed in 2021. She also earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Art History from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Studio Art and Communications from the University of Denver. Additionally, she has a certificate in Social Impact Strategies from the National Institute for Social Impact and a 200-hour certificate in Yoga Teacher Training from the Root Center for Yoga and Sacred Studies.
Career in Non-Profit Sector
Armstrong has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, having held various positions that emphasize program development and assessment. She served as Program Director and Development Director at Inside Out Youth Services from 2021 to 2023 and from 2019 to 2021, respectively. Additionally, she worked as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College from 2010 to 2019, where she focused on curatorial practices and community engagement.
Research Focus and Community Engagement
Joy Armstrong's research interests include qualitative studies on the phenomenology, health benefits, and social impact of arts engagement. She is passionate about building community through collaborative and participatory creative practices. Her work aims to increase access to the arts and foster a deeper understanding of the role of art in society.