Hays Arts Council
After three and a half decades as executive director of the Hays Arts Council, Brenda Meder has decided to enter phased retirement later this year.
Beginning Sept. 1, Meder will step away from her current role and transition into a new capacity, focusing on special projects and consulting with the board and incoming director until June 2026.
“It has been my distinct honor to serve in that capacity since September of 1990, marking my 35th anniversary this year,” Meder said. “That is a milestone I never anticipated I’d be celebrating, but am so glad I reached it with this wonderful organization. I am indeed proud of our collective commitment to cultivating a vibrant arts community and our efforts toward providing ‘the arts for all.’”
Meder is well known in Hays, Ellis County and across the state for her tireless advocacy for the arts. She was recently honored with the Arts Advocate Award from the Kansas Arts Commission Governor’s Arts Awards program. Among her many accolades, she received a lifetime achievement award from Victoria High School in 2024 and was named Citizen of the Year in 2010 by the Chamber in Hays.
Over the course of her leadership, Meder has guided 35 years of the 56-year history of the Smoky Hill Art Exhibition and 41 years of the Five State Photography Exhibition. Beyond these signature events, she has curated and installed more than 300 additional exhibitions, working with hundreds of artists.
She has always had a heart for school and youth programming, and through her tireless outreach and educational efforts, she has touched the lives of almost every child in Ellis County during the past 35 years.
“Brenda’s impact on the Hays Arts Council—and our community—is immeasurable,” said board president Brittney Squire. “She is a visionary leader and an extraordinary advocate for the arts. Her dedication and passion have shaped not just the organization but the cultural fabric of our region.
“We are incredibly fortunate that Brenda will remain involved during this transition. Her guidance will be invaluable as we move into a new chapter. While no one can truly fill her shoes, we are excited about the future and the opportunity to build on her incredible legacy.”
To honor Meder’s lasting contributions, the Hays Arts Council will host a public celebration in the coming months. The event will give community members a chance to share their regards, stories and well wishes as she begins this new chapter.
This is a pivotal time for the organization as it advances its “For the Heart of Hays” capital campaign, supporting a major renovation of its Downtown Hays facilities. The project is ongoing, with completion anticipated in 2027 to coincide with the HAC’s 60th anniversary.
The search for a new executive director is now underway. The ideal candidate will be someone ready to carry the organization’s vision forward and expand its role in providing meaningful arts programming for the next generation.
For more information about the Hays Arts Council and the executive director job posting, visit www.haysartscouncil.org.