Ann Wilson, associate director of the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin since May 2004, has been appointed interim director of the museum, effective March 1.
Jessie Otto Hite, current director of The Blanton Museum of Art, announced in June 2007 her plan to retire effective March 2008.
“Ann Wilson’s long professional experience with art museums and her familiarity with the Blanton Museum make her uniquely qualified to see the museum through a seamless interim period while the College of Fine Arts seeks the next great director of the Blanton,” says Douglas Dempster, dean of the College of Fine Arts.
As associate director of the Blanton Museum of Art, Wilson served on the core curriculum development committee for the Museum Studies Portfolio program, currently in its pilot stage at the College of Fine Arts of The University of Texas at Austin. She was appointed peer reviewer for the American Association of Museums in 2007, and is an alumna of the Getty Center’s prestigious Museum Leadership Institute.
“It’s quite an honor to be entrusted with the temporary oversight of this amazing museum,” Wilson says. “Thanks to the firm foundation Jessie has established, the Blanton will be one of the nation’s plum assignments for the future director. With a superb professional team in place, we look forward to a continued range of exciting exhibitions and programs for our university and community audiences.”
Prior to joining the Blanton Museum, Wilson managed marketing and visitor services at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Md., for seven years. She developed successful marketing campaigns for the High Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the Southeast during her five-year post as manager of public relations and marketing.
“Ann Wilson is a seasoned and very competent museum professional,” says Jessie Otto Hite. “As associate director of the Blanton, she is familiar with all areas of the museum’s operations and very well positioned to take over the helm as the interim director. Her appointment will make for a smooth transition period for the museum.”
With extensive experience in arts administration and management, Wilson is a frequent panelist on museum management issues. She is a native of Washington D.C., and a magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University.
