A fresh face is coming to the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. It’s that of Robert Z. Melnick, former dean of the University’s School of Architecture and Allied Arts (AAA), and newly selected interim executive director of the University’s art museum.
“I do find myself surprised to be in this position,” Melnick said. “It’s not something that I ever aspired to but it’s something that I find very thrilling and exciting.”
Melnick worked as dean of AAA for 10 years. He resigned in 2005 to work for the Los Angeles-based Getty Foundation, where he ran the program that supports preservation programs on college campuses. In this position he was intimately involved with a fund supporting museums in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.
“I had accomplished the things I wanted to accomplish and it seemed like the school would benefit from a new leader,” said Melnick. “I didn’t see it so much as resigning from AAA as it was passing the mantle on to another person.”
Melnick is still working as a leader, only this time it’s in somewhat unfamiliar territory. But his experience as a professor of landscape architecture and his extensive work on cultural landscape evaluation and historic landscape preservation planning should help him out on the job while the museum scours the nation for a permanent director.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Terri Warpinski said “We’re picking someone who can provide leadership and positive momentum for the museum rather than just buy their time waiting for the permanent director to be located.”
Former Museum Director David Turner said Melnick “has a very thorough knowledge of the University system and connections with many artists and faculty members, and he has a real outward-looking vision for the University.”
Melnick is replacing Turner, who has worked at the museum since April 2003. Turner took over during a major renovation and oversaw the museum’s reopening ceremonies. He will now return to teaching in AAA.
“David decided he was ready for a different set of challenges,” Warpinski said. “He’s been at the museum for a significant period of time, under which a lot of changes occurred. He was interested in opportunities that were available to him in other areas of the University.”
Turner’s tenure held considerable success, but also many challenges. In September, student employee Chris Swires was fired from the art museum when museum officials discovered his past as a sexual predator. Turner was executive director at the time.
“As far as I know there’s no connection,” said University Spokesman Phil Weiler.
Warpinski called it a “totally disconnected event.”
Turner said that Swires had “nothing at all” to do with his departure.
“The time seemed right (to leave the museum),” said Turner. “I got the museum up and running with active programs and it looked like a good time to spend my efforts working with a more specific group. That is, the students of the University.”
Melnick says he will be returning to his department at some point.
“I think the museum is really a great regional museum with great potential,” he said. “It is a great resource for the campus and community, and I’m really looking forward to this time, however long it is, and to continue to move it forward.”