Lauren Kennedy started as the Executive Director for the Urban Art Commission in January 2015. Kennedy brings to the organization extensive project and event management experience and a sincere enthusiasm for contemporary art. She comes to UAC from Ballet Memphis, where as the Partnership Manager, she focused on collaborative projects and opportunities with creative individuals and other organizations around Memphis.

Prior to Ballet Memphis, Kennedy was the Program Manager for the Dallas Art Fair, overseeing the various logistics of the three-day, contemporary art fair. Kennedy also ran an alternative gallery space for art and conversation called Southfork-Memphis out of her home for three and a half years. She was a CODA (Center for Outreach in the Development of the Arts) Fellow at Rhodes College where she received a Bachelor’s of Art in Art History in 2008. Kennedy was named one of Memphis’ 20<30 by the Memphis Flyer in 2014 for her contributions to the local creative community.