As we enter 2026 and PS1's 24th year as an Iowa City institution, we do so with some news that entails a significant change in the leadership that has been embedded in our organization for the past decade and a half:

It is with great enthusiasm and pride that we share that our Program Director, Kalmia Strong, has accepted the role of Executive Director at Squeaky Wheel Film and Media Art Center in Buffalo, NY. Her last day at PS1 will be January 23. Of this change, she wrote "It’s impossible to fully articulate how meaningful being a part of PS1 has been for me, and I am so grateful for the support, trust, collaboration, and opportunities that have been a part of this time."

This change follows work that PS1 staff spent in 2025 reflecting on our roles and capacities, and marks the implementation of a new staffing structure better suited to the everyday work that happens across the PS1 campus. Key to this new structure is the promotion of current PS1 staff member, Lydia Diemer, to Artist Resource Director and the hiring of Laura Moser as PS1's inaugural Community Stewardship Director. Both have years of experience at PS1 (as staff, independent contractors, and/or volunteers) and both roles will join Executive Director, John Engelbrecht, in a new shared leadership model (which will also include the hiring of a full-time Operations Director in spring of this year and eventually a new Executive Director as Engelbrecht will be relocating to Buffalo as well by end of 2026). Learn more about Lydia, Laura, and all of PS1's staff here.

Engelbrecht notes: "PS1's growth, longevity, and resilient ethos has been more than shaped by Kalmia's involvement over the past 13 years: this place just won't be the same without her. But it is a testament to her vision, dedication, and straight-up work ethic that the organization will continue with incredible momentum and remain a vital place for art possibilities in Iowa City for years to come. You can't say this about a lot these days, but you can say it about Iowa City and PS1: the brightest days are still ahead!"