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Show ( Docent Dialogue The Utah Museum of Fine Arts University of Utah David Dee Appointed Executive Director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah David Dee, interim director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) for the past nine months, has been selected as the new executive director of the UMFA. The appointment is effective pending notification of the University of Utah Senate and approval by the • Board of Regents. "I am delighted with the selection of David Dee as the new Director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts," says Phyllis Haskell, Dean of the Fine Arts College t the University of Utah. "During his term as mtenm Director, he has demonstrated the ability to excel in the admimstrati ve and artistic aspects of the position. His intimate knowledge of the collection, his experience with our museum and our community provide a seamless transition between our history and our future. The search committee and the administration were impressed with David's vision for and cormmtment to the museum's exciting potential for growth, development, and new initiatives, as well as his abilities as a leader with sound busmess practices." Dee has been affiliated with the UMFA for many years as a volunteer serving on the UMFA's Special Exhibitions Council and providing guest curatorial support for the UMFA's extensive Japanese print collection. Prior to the interim director position, Dee previously served as the Curator of Exhibitions and Assistant Curator of Japanese Art for the UMFA. Dee graduated from Stanford University with a double maJor m Japanese and political science. In J l 993, he was awarded a Master of Pacific Intematrnnal Affairs degree from the University of California, San Diego. In 1999, Dee curated the April 2002 UMFA exhibition, Innovation and Tradition in Japanese Woodblock Prints and completed a Master of Arts degree, with an emphasis on Japanese and Asian art, from the University of Utah. Dee says one of the reasons he accepted the position was because of the extraordinary opportunity to be a part of the next chapter in the Utah Museum of Fine Arts' distinguished history. "The awardwinning Marcia and John Price Museum Building, the world-class collection of art objects representing 5,000 years of human creativity, and a remarkable group of staff and volunteers point to a particularly bright future for the museum,,, says Dee. "I look forward to more collaboration w_ith University faculty, students and the diverse audiences within our community. " According to Prescott Muir, Chair of the Director Search Committee, a national search took place over a penod of 18 months, which included the review of 42 applicants. "The search committee was very impressed with David's ability in the last year to manage the museum during a challengmg period of transitrnn into the new facility. We were equally impressed with David's background and abilities in donor cultivation, knowledge of public outreach and desire to cultivate and strengthen institutrnnal connect10ns withm the acaderruc community. David articulated a clear vision for the museum and now we look forward to an exciting era of growth under his able leadership. Dee adds, "The UMFA will be a place for all visitors to learn, contemplate, and even be entertained. Most of all, we will be a major cultural resource that allows visztors to explore the world through the visual arts." |
