UI searching for new art museum director

The University of Iowa has launched a national search for a new director for the UI Museum of Art. The new director will help plan and be a major fund raiser for the new UI Museum of Art facility, officials said.

Art was removed from the former museum location during the June 2008 flood, and the collection will not be returned to that facility on the Iowa River.

An advisory committee recommended to UI President Sally Mason several weeks ago in a report that building a new art museum be high on the university's flood recovery priority list. Mason on Thursday responded to the committee recommendations, saying the envisioning committee put considerable thought, care and effort into "shaping a compelling vision for a new museum of art."

Mason said she will carefully review the recommendations before determining the next steps.

Regarding the search for a new director, David Johnsen, dean of the UI College of Dentistry, is leading the 18-member search committee. Pamela White has been interim director of the art museum since May 2008.

Read the UI statement about the art museum report

here.