Ryan Burghard is a seasoned arts professional with a long history of supporting artists in Oregon. He has spent over a decade working with the Oregon Arts Commission, focusing on the acquisition and commissioning of public art on behalf of the state, and has also served in many additional roles within the Oregon arts ecology.
Prior to joining the Arts Commission, Ryan served as an assistant professor at Oregon College of Art and Craft, a mentor in PNCA’s Applied Craft and Design (AC+D) program and an instructor at Portland Community College. He was an integral part of developing the Curator-in-Residence program at Disjecta Contemporary Arts Center (now Oregon Contemporary) as program manager from 2013 to 2017, and founded the dinner series, “Culinaria,” that emphasized the interplay of art and haute cuisine.
Ryan has also served on several non-profit boards, including Disjecta, Yucca Valley Material Lab and Rainmaker Craft Initiative, an educational platform committed to creative inquiry and founded on craft and community engagement. He received his MFA from the University of Wisconsin and maintains a rigorous studio practice in Portland.
