Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah VanLanduyt.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From early on, I knew the arts would be part of my life. I still remember watching the Nutcracker Ballet on PBS as a child and thinking, I want to make music like that. I grew up drawing for fun and taking music lessons all the way through college. For a time, I thought I might pursue music performance, but I came to realize my strengths were in contributing to the larger story of arts and culture.
I was fortunate to have several mentors early in my career who helped me see the broader role that the humanities and local museums play in communities. They showed me how museums can be places of storytelling and connection, and how the arts can create welcoming spaces that strengthen civic life. Those lessons sparked my love of working with community, whether through sharing local history or collaborating with artists and arts organizations to enhance civic infrastructure. They also led me to the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) and my first arts role.
Both my museum experiences and my time at the KAC shaped how I approach my work today with the Arts Council of Johnson County. Here, I bring together my love of the arts, my commitment to community, and my passion for advocacy. A great example is our Canvas Collective project, a community initiative designed to combat loneliness and social isolation through the healing power of art. In partnership with art therapists Melanie Arroyo, Kaley Wajcman, and artist Justin Border, we offered free workshops that gave people a safe, welcoming space to create, connect, and build lasting relationships. Projects like this not only highlight the role of the arts in strengthening civic life, but they also inform my collaborative approach to Kansas arts advocacy, ensuring that the lessons we learn locally help shape statewide efforts to support artists and build resilient communities and vice versa.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s not always a smooth road. Like every profession there are ups and downs. Nonprofit work and advocacy bring their share of challenges, whether it’s capacity, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, or finding the right words to convey the impact of the arts in ways that resonate with both policymakers and the public. Advocacy requires persistence and collaboration, because it’s not just about making a case for support or programs, it’s about helping people recognize how creativity strengthens our communities. And while those challenges are real, the really incredible thing is that they often become catalysts for innovation, pushing us to find new approaches, build unexpected partnerships, and create reimagine how we communicate.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As Executive Director of the Arts Council of Johnson County, I focus on strengthening the creative sector, cultivating partnerships, and bringing awareness to the role the arts play in contributing to the vibrancy of Johnson County. The Arts Council is known for our convening and advocacy work which brings together artists, organizations, and civic leaders. We’re also known for our Shooting Stars Program which celebrates Johnson County high school students for their creative excellence. The through line to our programs and iniatives is sharing the story of how the arts strengthen community vitality, education, tourism and quality of life. What I’m most proud of in this role is the collaborative spirit we’ve built, creating spaces where people feel valued, connected, and inspired.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The best advice I received and still practice today is to give yourself some grace, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of a coffee meeting. Those conversations can open doors, are often where networks grow, relationships deepen, and new partnerships develop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artsjoco.org/acjc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-vanlanduyt-8265967
