Lind Archipov began her journey at the Harn this past January and has already made great strides in securing support for the museum’s upcoming exhibitions and programming. With a strong philanthropic background, including her work with The Dalí Museum, we are delighted to welcome Lind to the Harn. Read on to learn how Lind’s philanthropic leadership is helping strengthen donor relationships and advance the Harn’s mission.
What inspired you to pursue a career in philanthropy and how did your passions lead to working within a museum setting?
My path to philanthropy was definitely not a straight line! During college, I had a wonderful menagerie of jobs both on and off campus—from waitperson and cook to conducting telephone surveys for UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, serving as House Manager for the University Memorial Auditorium, working as a Teaching Assistant for Music Appreciation, and inventorying musical instruments for the Jacare Brazilian Ensemble.
At the time, I was certain I would earn a PhD and become a professor. But while working on my master’s degree, I accepted an OPS position as an Affiliate Coordinator, working with the Performing Arts Center’s Director of Development, Fontaine Huey. That job changed the direction of my career.
Working with donors opened my eyes to how profoundly philanthropy powers the arts. I’m energized by the opportunity to tell the story of why the arts matter and to connect people with opportunities to make a difference. I discovered that I loved building relationships, learning what inspires people, and helping them find meaningful ways to support the things they care about.
The greatest reward is the people I’ve met along the way. Working in development has given me the chance to work with generous, interesting, passionate people who believe in the arts and want to help them thrive. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built a career that brings together so many of the things I value.
What drew you to the Harn and its mission?
The Harn is respected nationally for the breadth and depth of its collection, and its world-class exhibitions. The Harn serves UF students and the entire community with engaging exhibitions, tours, fun events, lectures and educational programming- and admission is always free! The Harn is one of very few museums that can boast a 100% paid internship program, which allows students from all UF areas of study to gain paid work experience in museum operations. This allows students who must work in order to stay in school to do so while gaining meaningful professional experience. This blend of community focus and artistic excellence – all within a vivacious university setting -inspires me every day.
Are there any upcoming exhibitions or programs you’re especially excited for?
I learn so much from all of them! Every exhibition is designed with intentional education and outreach to reach and inform broad audiences. Layered Lives explores Cuban culture and experience through the works of ten women Cuban artists; Sebastião Salgado: A Bridge Between Worlds highlights the extraordinary life and breathtaking work of a renowned photographer – set in the Harn’s Main Exhibition Hall; Life at Sea provides a wonderful and interactive exhibition to delight both children and adults; and Beyond the Brush: The Florida Art Collection, Gift of Samuel H. and Roberta T. Vickers will be the first exhibition in the Harn’s new gallery space! I’m especially excited for the opening of Becoming: Asian American Art Unbound in Summer 2027.
What do you hope donors and community partners come to understand about the Harn through your work?
I hope donors and community partners come to see the Harn as more than a museum—as the community’s true “third space,” a place beyond home and work or school where people can gather, connect, think, discover, and simply be.
The Harn brings together an extraordinary range of art, from Asian, contemporary, modern, African, and photography to seven garden spaces that we are enhancing with seating, shade, and sculpture. With the museum open until 9 pm every Thursday, there are so many ways to engage: gallery tours, live music and dance, art-making activities, lectures, conversations, and more. What excites me most is the way the Harn can bring seemingly disparate ideas together, introduce people to new perspectives, and create space for both meaningful discourse and personal reflection.
Whether you come to meet a friend, spend some quiet time with a work of art, study or work, the Harn welcomes you exactly as you are. It meets you where you are in that moment—and there is something incredibly special about that.
As a nonprofit, the Harn depends on the generosity of donors and community partners to make this work possible. Support for the Annual Fund, internships, and exhibitions directly strengthens the museum today, while endowments of $30,000 or more for Exhibitions and Programming can provide the sustainable, dependable funding that allows the Harn to thrive for years to come.
My role is to help secure the resources that make all of this possible, but I see my work as so much more than fundraising. I have the privilege of sharing the mission of a remarkable campus and community resource that I genuinely believe in—and of connecting the Harn with people who believe in the power of art, ideas, and shared experiences. There is real joy in facilitating that generosity and helping others discover what the Harn can mean to them.
Do you have any hobbies?
Since moving to Gainesville, I’ve really enjoyed discovering new restaurants, getting settled, and exploring the outdoors. I’ve gotten hooked on my bird-identification app, Merlin. I love traveling and especially enjoy visiting my three young-adult children in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. I visit museums and attend live music and theater every chance I get. I also enjoy vegetarian cooking and baking. As a recent empty nester, I am loving getting time to just hang out with my husband and binge TV together!
If you would like to learn more about the many ways you can support the Harn and help advance its mission, please contact Lind Archipov, Director of Advancement, at 352.294.7054 or LArchipov@harn.ufl.edu.
