ELIZABETH “LIBBY” SLADER, owner of Providence-based design firm Libby Slader Interior Design, was recently reelected as chairman of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts board of directors. Slader was previously an instructor for Rhode Island School of Design’s Continuing Education department and was a co-founder of DesignxRI, an initiative that helps galvanize the state’s design community. In 2015, Slader was named Industry Leader in Creative Services in Providence Business News’ Women in Business program.
What aspect of the arts matters to you the most? Have you ever had the feeling that you were in a place where you truly belonged? Surrounded by people who are sharing a collective experience and you felt elated, excited and challenged all at the same time? Just in this past week, I went to the Moon exhibit at the WaterFire Arts Center, the Newport Folk Festival, and saw the show “Hamilton” at [Providence Performing Arts Center]. The community coming together and experiencing the art is what matters most.
What previous initiatives have you helped RISCA introduce in order to grow and support Rhode Island’s arts community while serving on the board? The staff at RISCA is so incredible at developing programming and accessing the needs of Rhode Island through art. One of the new initiatives that is most exciting is the collaboration between the RISCA, the R.I. Department of Health and the Brown University School of Public Health, called Arts and Healthcare. It explores the arts role in positively impacting health and how it can be used in a clinical setting. Another initiative is the Expansion Arts Program, also a collaboration between the Rhode Island Foundation and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, which serves our culturally diverse arts and cultural organizations.
What are RISCA’s new plans for the upcoming year in your time as board chairman? In September, we are hosting the Leadership Institute Conference for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. This conference will bring together the chairs, council members and senior staff from arts councils from all 50 states and U.S. territories. It’s been 25 years since it was held in Providence. The Cultural Facilities Program and Tax Free Art in Rhode Island is the envy of our colleagues and we hope to showcase that and our amazingly talented artists while they’re here.
What kind of architecture do you enjoy doing the most? Adaptive reuse or new projects? I feel we take our mill buildings for granted because they have blended into the landscape. Restoring those buildings is the most sustainable project you can do and the character of them is special and distinguishable. Design and manufacturing [are] part of the history of our state and the preservation of those architectural gems is so important. The [Interstate 195] land is also a unique opportunity for Providence to create human-scaled, walkable and energized zone in the city. Typically, I enjoy working on projects that are challenging, fun and provide a great solution for my clients; that said, I’ve been so fortunate to do all types of projects and always look forward to the next one.
