Detroit City Wire

Sara Moy has been appointed as the new Director of Conservation at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), effective May 19, 2025. Moy brings over twenty years of conservation experience from various museums and institutions in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

In her new role, Moy will oversee the museum’s conservation department, managing the care, preservation, and research of the DIA’s collection. Her most recent position was Senior Conservator and Interim Head of Conservation and Research at M+ in Hong Kong. She was also the founding conservator at M+ in 2013 and returned to continue her work there in 2023.

Moy specializes in modern and contemporary art with expertise in preserving complex installations, time-based media, and artworks that change over time. She is recognized for her collaborative approach to conservation.

“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.”

Before joining DIA, Moy held roles at several institutions including Harvard Art Museums’ Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the U.S. National Park Service. She has also worked independently with museums, foundations, and private collections across 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 focuses on how museums manage artworks that are both materially and conceptually dynamic. She recently co-organized Preserving the Present at M+, a public program addressing challenges in contemporary art conservation.

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

The DIA stated it looks forward to Moy's leadership in shaping its future conservation efforts.