DETROIT, MICH.- The Detroit Institute of Arts announced the appointment of Sara Moy as its new Director of Conservation. Moy brings more than two decades of broad and dynamic conservation experience across leading museums and institutions in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She officially assumed her role, May 19.

As Director of Conservation, Moy will lead the museum’s conservation department, overseeing the care, preservation, and research of the DIA’s world-class collection. She most recently served as Senior Conservator and Interim Head of Conservation and Research at M+ in Hong Kong, where she was the founding conservator in 2013 and returned in 2023 to continue her pioneering work.

Specializing in modern and contemporary art, Moy focuses on preserving complex installations, evolving media, and artworks that transform over time. Her approach reflects a deep understanding of the ever-changing nature of art in the 21st century, and she brings a forward-thinking, collaborative spirit to her conservation practice.

“Sara’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as we continue to explore the intersection of innovation and preservation,” said Jennifer Paoletti, Vice President of Exhibition and Collection Strategies. “Her global perspective and deep commitment to the evolving nature of conservation will be invaluable to the museum and to the care of our collection.”

In addition to her work at M+, Moy has held conservation roles at institutions including the Harvard Art Museums’ Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the U.S. National Park Service. She has also provided independent conservation services to museums, foundations, and private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe.

“I’m honored to join the DIA and contribute to the care of such a historic and diverse collection,” said Moy. “I look forward to working closely with the museum’s teams and community to support the thoughtful preservation of artworks—both traditional and experimental—for generations to come.”

Moy’s research explores how museums collect, contextualize, and care for artworks that are materially and conceptually dynamic. She recently co-organized and moderated Preserving the Present, a public program at M+ focused on conservation challenges in contemporary art, including unconventional materials and sustainable museum practices.

She holds a BA in Visual Arts from Bennington College and an MSc in Conservation from University College London.