NEWS: Maggie Willis Appointed Interim Director

Jan. 23, 2013

Maggie Willis Appointed Interim Director

Salt Lake City - The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art Board of Trustees announces today that they have selected Maggie Willis to serve as Interim Director of the museum.

“Maggie is a uniquely qualified administrator and is committed to the well-being of the organization,” said Board President Roy Jespersen. “We’re very fortunate that she’s willing to take on this great responsibility during UMOCA’s transitional period.”

After graduating Valedictorian from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Willis achieved a rich history of working with non-profit art organizations including the Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council, the Salt Lake City Arts Council, the Utah Arts Festival, and the Sundance Film Festival. Since October of 2010, Willis has revamped UMOCA’s Art Shop to represent over 30 local artists and founded the thriving Volunteer and Internship Program which boasts an average of 7000 volunteer hours annually with an average of 150 active participants, and growing. 

“UMOCA has recently undergone major changes that have captured the attention of artists and art lovers globally” Willis states. “We are now challenged with preparing for a new Executive Director while maintaining the momentum of our many accomplishments under the leadership of Adam Price. I am honored to serve in this interim position with the support and dedication of the board and our exceptionally talented staff as I continue working toward our museum’s mission.”

Willis plans to launch a new volunteer Docent Pr­­ogram with assistance of Jared Steffensen and the new Visitor and Volunteer Services Coordinator, Samantha Bontempo in the spring of 2013. The initiative will enhance the museum’s ability to educate visitors about contemporary art by providing more tours, and will generate opportunities for volunteers and interns to interact directly with the public.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that the Board of Trustees has chosen Maggie Willis to serve as Interim Director during this time," said Adam Price, former Executive Director of UMOCA. "I've had the great pleasure to work with Maggie in a variety of capacities and she's the perfect fit for the museum right now. She has terrific administrative skills, a deep love for and knowledge of contemporary art, and a winning personality that will make it that much easier just to get things done. Although the Board will have ultimate responsibility for strategic decisions during this critical time, Maggie Willis is exactly the right glue to keep the organization together on a day-to-day basis."

About UMOCA
The award-winning Utah Museum of Contemporary Art exhibits groundbreaking artwork by local, national, and international artists. Four gallery spaces provide an opportunity for the community to explore the contemporary cultural landscape through UMOCA’s exhibitions, films, events, classes, and presentations.

Founded in 1931, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art has been recognized as Best Museum in the State of Utah for 2011 and 2012 and is a four-time recipient of funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation.

Located at 20 S. West Temple; open Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is free. For more information call (801) 328-4201 or visit www.utahmoca.org.