SARASOTA, FLA.- The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art announced the appointment of Courtney Hicks as Head of Ringling Art Library Services. In this position, Hicks will oversee The Ringling Art Library, the most comprehensive art library collection in the southeastern United States. Her role supports curatorial research as well as overseeing the conservation and repair of the library’s rare book collections, such as John Ringling’s personal collection of art books. She will also host The Ringling’s monthly Literati Book Club.

"We are excited to welcome Courtney Hicks as Head of Library Services," says The Ringling’s Executive Director Steven High. “She brings a wealth of experience with collections-based research, exhibitions, and programming. I look forward to working with her to expand the reach and impact of The Ringling library collections for staff, the community, and the broader public we serve.”

Hicks grew up in Florida and earned a BFA in Studio Art at Florida State University. She has a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art Photography from Syracuse University in New York. Most recently, she served as Lead Curator of Plastics and Historical Artifacts at Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). In this role, she led special collections acquisitions and collection development, managed the curatorial unit and staff, and provided services through outreach, instruction, exhibitions, and programs featuring rare books, printed materials, and archival collections.

As Head of The Ringling Art Library, Hicks will develop, interpret, and implement policies, programs, and long-range planning related to the library collections under the direction of the Associate Director for Academics, Innovation, and Research. This includes ensuring that acquisitions support the comprehensiveness of the collection, researching all aspects of the Ringling legacy and collections, as well as other topics pertaining to the visual arts and cultural history. She will begin her new role on April 1, 2026.

“I’m thrilled to join The Ringling and steward its distinctive library collections—an extraordinary resource for the public, Florida State University, and the museum’s staff,” says Hicks. “Libraries and special collections uniquely foster curiosity, scholarship, and creativity, and I look forward to serving and learning about the Art Library’s community.”