University Advancement, the office primarily charged with University fundraising, will replace the Provost’s Office in overseeing the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
University President Dave Frohnmayer made the transfer last week and expects it to raise questions; however, at this point he prefers University Advancement as the office for the museum’s oversight because it handles the issues the museum presently needs to resolve.
The questions Frohnmayer expects will likely stem from people’s concerns with University Advancement playing such a large part in the museum, considering its fundraising-driven nature, he said. Some have already vocalized concern the museum could stray from its educational roots in an effort to make more money. But Frohnmayer said it’s the appropriate decision.
“The issues that are particularly pressing at the moment are issues that are heavily involving the external relationships of the museum,” he said.
University Advancement is expected to help resolve issues such as hiring a permanent museum director and presenting a “strategic” face to the community. The museum has had trouble in the past identifying its goals and mission, and as a result it has had difficulty reaching out to the public.
Some of those issues were brought to the University’s attention by independent consultant Alceste Pappas’ critical review of the museum. The University hired Pappas, Vice Provost Terri Warpinski said, because the museum was in its early stages as a campus and community entity and museum officials “(didn’t) want to go too far down the path without knowing (it was) the right one.”
In the review, Pappas noted the need for clarified goals and strategies as well as an improved organizational structure, including “strategic direction” and a permanent director – both of which Frohnmayer said will be addressed by University Advancement. Frohnmayer said parts of the January report’s findings influenced his decision.
Currently, Interim Executive Director Robert Melnick is at the museum’s helm
“In terms of practical everyday operations, it actually doesn’t change anything,” said Melnick. “It doesn’t change our mission.”
That mission, which Melnick stresses heavily but Pappas found vague and inadequate, is to educate diverse communities on artistic expression through innovative programs. That clashes in some ways with the purpose of its new oversight.
University Advancement focuses primarily on funding. It has two main objectives: to position the University strategically in the public’s mind, and to acquire the public and private resources to finance the strategic directions of the University. These objectives are basically two steps in one process: raising money. Vice President of University Advancement Allan Price, who did not return several phone messages, will now play a large part in the museum’s direction. Price has held his position since 2001 and works closely with Frohnmayer and other top administrators on University priorities and goals.
Provost Linda Brady and Price are two of three administrators who report directly to the president.
Melnick said he has a “long-standing relationship with Price,” and the shift in direction will help position the museum to search for a new director. Melnick will serve as Interim Director until that day comes – he replaced David Turner in January with the intention of filling in until a permanent director could be found. Turner left the museum after nearly four years of employment to return to teaching in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.
Melnick remains confident the museum leadership’s intentions have not altered, and he reiterated the museum’s community-driven purpose.
“Part of the goal for the museum is to make sure that community members are fully engaged and involved,” said Melnick. “I think this may help us to engage that portion of the community fully… if I thought it was going to be something that just relied on revenue, I wouldn’t be doing this job.”
Frohnmayer said this is the best move at this time.
“This is one way,” he said. “It’s not the only way, but it’s my preferred way at the moment.”
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A new direction
University Advancement will be the new oversight of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, replacing Provost Linda Brady’s office.
University Advancement is a division that focuses primarily on funding for the University. Its two main objectives involve strategic presentation to the public and financing strategic directions of the University.
Vice President of University Advancement Allan Price works closely with Frohnmayer, and will report directly to him on museum matters.
Frohnmayer said this was the appropriate decision to resolve particular “external issues,” some of which were addressed in an independent consultant’s January museum evaluation.