Tuesday, April 14, 2009

New President and Goals for Munson Williams Proctors Art Institute

The Utica OD featured a look at the new president's goals for Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.

Daniel O’Leary, who took the helm this week after a months-long search to replace former president Milton Bloch, said a key goal he wants to achieve is strengthening ties between the museum and the Stanley Center for the Arts and other local arts organizations.

Other goals include increasing museum membership and focusing on student enrollment. “I’m very interested in membership,” O’Leary said during a news conference Tuesday morning.“I think it’s always about winning trust and support and making people think of Munson Williams-Proctor more frequently with better memories of the last time they were here. Opportunities are so great here.”

Ron Thiele, executive director of the Stanley, said he is excited about working with O’Leary.
“Any time you get new leadership, it brings a fresh perspective on what is possible,” Thiele said. “I invite him and look forward to working with him to create a strategic alliance that can help the community.”

O’Leary said that the museum already has a strong foundation, and that he’d like to build upon that foundation by enlisting some help from younger generations.

“Students are the best way to escape from the status quo,” O’Leary said. “You can’t just parade students in and show them what you want to show them. They have more imagination and creativity; they are certainly going to show you the next interesting thing in the arts.”

And, despite a tough economy, he said he did not anticipate needing to make any major cuts to any part of the institute.

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