Motivated by the belief that art has the capacity to delight, challenge, and inspire the way people see and think about the world, John B. Henry, III pursued a career in museums in order to help present compelling artistic expressions for all. In 1971, he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of South Carolina, and in 1982, he obtained a Master of Fine Arts in art history from the University of Mississippi. Mr. Henry began his career in 1973 as the general curator of fine arts at The Columbus Museum in Columbus, GA, where he remained for four years. From 1977 to 1985, he served as the director of collections and exhibitions at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS. From 1985 to 1996, he served as the executive director of the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Vero Beach, FL. Finally, in 1996 he took on the role of executive director of the Flint Institute of Arts in Flint, MI, where he has remained for more than 20 years. Under Mr. Henry’s direction, the institute has become the second largest museum in Michigan.
Outside of his primary appointments in the field, Mr. Henry served as the vice president of the Southeastern Sculptors Association. He has also served on the director’s advisory council of the National Trustee Association, on the advisory board of the Center for Graduate Studies at Baker College, and most recently, on the board of directors of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum. Civically, he has been a member of the Flint Master Plan steering committee and a trustee for the Flint Classroom Support Fund. With an expertise in 20th and 21st century art, Mr. Henry oversees all departmental activities, fundraising, program decisions, and facilities and collections in his current position. In addition, he has organized several publications at the institute and contributed to countless artists’ collections throughout his career. In his spare time outside of work, Mr. Henry enjoys playing tennis, golfing, and skiing.
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