>Greetings,
>
>I am interested in finding out information on university/college
>museum governance, as in to whom the director (or other chief executive)
>reports, the relationship with the board of trustees or directors, and
>the role of advisory, curatorial, collections, fundraising committees
>within the organizational structure. I'd appreciate leads on where
>these things might be documented, and/or samples of documents describing
>the roles and functions of specific committees and staff members.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Carol Wood
>Assistant to the Dean
>NYS College of Ceramics
>Alfred University
>Alfred, NY 14802
>607-871-2243
>607-871-2344 (fax)
>[log in to unmask]
Carol-
As Art Center College's Williamson Gallery director I report to the college
president, although I may end up reporting to a soon-to-be-appointed
provost (senior vice-president).
Although the Williamson Gallery is named for one of our trustees, they as a
group have nothing to do with its operation or programming. In addition
the Williamson Gallery has no formal governing or advisory committees
comprised of faculty. I proactively engage members of the faculty and
department chairs in the process of selecting exhibits and advising me, and
I try to make sure the program relates well to the various college
constituencies.
I am hoping that if my reporting changes to the provost that this structure
-- or lack of structure, if you will -- prevails. Once committees are
formed they inevitably become political, and persons given a formal
advisory role get very upset if their advise is not taken. On the other
hand, if I initiate asking faculty for advice, it seems to be more freely
given -- without any hysterical consequences for using or not using the
advice. It is healthier to have an autonomous director who is sincerely
responsive to various factions yet accountable to a single master.
Less governance in a museum is better. Do I sound like a Republican?
Yikes -- I'm not. But it's a weird kind of psychology that goes on when
committees are formed. If you bring a committee of cooks into the kitchen,
the meal can turn into a bland pastiche of everyone's taste.
Stephen Nowlin
Vice President, Director, Williamson Gallery
Art Center College of Design
1700 Lida Street
Pasadena, CA 91103 USA (818)396-2397 fax (818)405-9104 [log in to unmask]
Williamson Gallery website:
http://www.artcenter.edu/exhibit/williamson.html
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