about our work

LIVING HISTORIES are reflected in the stories of both people and objects. Our work fosters connections across departments and fields to enhance relationships and touch the authentic core of people.

EXPANSION PROJECT refers to growth, practice, and work. We celebrate open-hearted learning, experimentation, making mistakes, taking a breath, and trying again. We believe small intentional steps lead to deep and impactful change.

TOGETHER we collaborate with key partners to reimagine systems and build equitable frameworks within the field of art preservation. Our goal is to tell more honest and complete histories of cultural heritage while building community and belonging among practitioners.

about our founder

SARAH KLEINER is a classically trained conservator with more than twenty years of experience working within leading cultural institutions such as the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; and the Seattle Art Museum. She earned a B.A. in studio art from Colorado College, and an M.S. specializing in paintings conservation from the Winterthur / University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation. Sarah is a trusted advisor, researcher, weaver of histories, storyteller, and teacher. In addition to her conservation experience, Sarah has a background in development and experience with grant writing and project management, including leading large-scale, multi-year research grants and workshops. Since 2020, Sarah has been studying anti-racist facilitation, an area where she continues to learn and challenge herself. Sarah’s ultimate goal is to build a leadership training program for mid-career conservators dedicated to professional development, social change, and sustainability.

“I believe we can redefine what it means to be art conservators, moving from ‘behind-the-scenes’ practitioners and experts to arts leaders who catalyze needed change in our world.”

—Sarah Kleiner, founder and lead consultant of the Living Histories Expansion Project

Sarah Kleiner is the founder and lead consultant of the Living Histories Expansion Project. To learn more about her work, click here. To contact Sarah about a project, write to: sarahkleiner@livinghistoriesexpansionproject.com.

Photograph by Gary Sexton