RAiR Names Tonee Harbert (RAiR 2019-20) as new AMoCA Director
It’s official: RAiR is happy to announce that Tonee Harbert has been named the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art’s (AMoCA) permanent Director. He has served as the museum’s Interim Director since last December.
“Tonee has done an amazing job thus far,” says Katelyn Krakauskas, RAiR’s Executive Director. “He stepped in with a lot of enthusiasm and a great vision for the museum. His attention to detail and care for the collection is inspiring. I’m excited for the future and all the possibilities he’s interested in pursuing. In our search for a new director for AMoCA, he was the candidate who truly stood out.”
A photographer and artist, Tonee came to Roswell as a RAiR fellow in 2019, and never left. He and his partner, artist Shoshannah White, live and work at the Historic Studios at Berrendo Road. In 2021, he extended his affiliation with the program by becoming RAiR’s Digital Media Manager, creating, among other things, evocative short videos documenting the work of each RAiR fellow, giving a fresh perspective to the rair.org website, and curating our social media channels.
As Interim Director of AMoCA, Tonee has set about caring for the unique collection, comprised entirely of work by RAiR fellows from the program’s 50-plus-year history, by caring for both what visitors to the museum see — rehanging some of the galleries — and for what goes on behind the scenes — installing a new storage system for work not currently on display. At the same time, he has maintained the museum’s position in the community by overseeing programming and community events: from student tours, to rental events to distinctive concerts like the pianist Ben Cosgrove’s evening in May. This fall, he will initiate a new series of rotating exhibitions at AMoCA featuring work by former RAiR residents, starting with Jerry West, an artist based in Santa Fe who was a RAiR fellow in 2012.
“It’s been wonderful to watch Tonee interact with the museum,” says Anne Midgette, a member of RAiR’s Board of Directors and the stepdaughter of Donald B. Anderson, who founded RAiR in 1967. “It was important to us to continue this program’s unique legacy of creativity and quirkiness, and to have a RAiR alumnus, if possible, as Director of AMoCA. Tonee really understands what RAiR is all about, and his creativity combined with his professional experience make him the perfect fit.”
Before coming to Roswell, Tonee spent most of his adult life in Maine, where he focused on his personal photographic work while maintaining a career as a teaching artist and commercial photographer. He was Executive Director of Portland’s Bakery Photo Collective during a critical juncture where he helped to professionalize, expand and ensure its longevity. He has exhibited extensively, from the Corcoran Gallery of Art in DC to the Portland Museum of Art; received grants from Nikon and the Maine Arts Commission, in addition to the RAiR residency. He co-authored a book, “Elmer Walker: Hermit to Hero,” with the acclaimed author Carolyn Chute, which was featured on CBS Sunday Morning. He holds a degree in Visual Communication from Ohio University.
"I'm honored to step into the role of Director at AMoCA,” says Harbert. “Over the past five years I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible art created through our residency program, and am continuously inspired by the talent and vision of our alumni. The collection at the Anderson Museum represents the impact the RAiR program has had on artists' lives and amazes museum guests every day. I look forward to ensuring the museum remains a hub for our community and a place where RAiR artists’ work is celebrated.”