The New Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Art Mark A. White standing in front of the museum’s collection. Photo: DCA

Mark A. White who has just been appointed executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Art will help the museum achieve its objective and growth post coronavirus

BY KAZAD

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) has appointed Mark A. White the executive director of the New Mexico Museum. He was selected from a pool of about 40 applicants. He will begin his tenure on May 18, 2020.

As executive director of the New Mexico Museum, Mark A. White will work within the DCA Arts and Sciences Group. He will collaborate with various divisions within that unit, supporting initiatives with the DCA History and Heritage Group and other divisions within the department. Additionally, White will manage a museum staff of about 30, including curators, educators, librarians, public relations and special events staff, technicians, facility managers, and security personnel.

 Speaking about the appointment, White, a native of the Sooner State, explained how deeply honored he feels to have been selected as the next executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Art. “The museum has a rich and storied history, a remarkable permanent collection, and a fantastic record of engaging exhibitions and programs. I look forward to working with the museum’s staff and audience and serving the residents of New Mexico as a steward of one of their most important cultural treasures,” he said.

The appointment of White is coming at a time that many museums and art institutions are going through the financial crisis because of the outbreak of the coronavirus. “In the midst of these trying times, we are grateful to have Mark appointed as Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Art, ensuring solid leadership of the institution when our museums reopen to the public,” stated Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Although the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs was willing to hold on to White’s appointment until the Museum reopens, “Mr. White and the Department officially agreed to an offer the first week of March. Due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus outbreak, a decision was made to delay the announcement. Our primary concern was closing museums to protect the health and safety of New Mexicans and to get our workforce home and working remotely,” noted Griego.

About Mark A. White

A frequent visitor to Santa Fe and other areas of New Mexico, White definitely has his work cut out for him as the New Mexico Museum struggles through the challenges posed by the coronavirus. Fortunately, he comes to the New Mexico Museum of Art with a world of experience. He spent the past 11 years at the Fred J. Jones Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., including as Wylodean and Bill Saxon Director since 2015. Additionally, he served as the museum’s Eugene B. Adkins Curator, curating numerous selected collections, including the James Bialac Native American Art Collection. 

As director of the Fred J. Jones Museum of Art, White spearheaded many prominent projects during his tenure. One of his main accomplishments from this period was working tirelessly with others in raising over $4 million in programming and collection support. Others include securing Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” sculpture for the university’s campus, and the curation of several highly attended exhibitions at the museum. 

White earned his doctoral degree in art history at the University of Kansas, where he was a recipient of the Henry Luce Foundation Dissertation Award. His major area of study was the 20th-century American painting and sculpture, and his minor areas of study were Native American art and material culture and 16th-century Venetian painting. He also possesses a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in art history.  White spent eight years teaching art history at Oklahoma State University,

From 2003 to 04, White was one of only six scholars to be selected for a year-long fellowship to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Research Center in Santa Fe.  He was also one of just two scholars selected for the Davidson Family Fellowship to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2007. 

What challenges do you think Mark A. White will face when he eventually takes over as Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Art post-coronavirus? Share your thoughts. Leave a comment