Annual Report: 2012 Worcesterart.Org / 4 / WAM Announces the Frank Channing Smith, Jr
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SepteMber 1, 2011 - AuguSt 31, 2012 WOrCeSter Art MuSeuM 2012 opening doors to a vibrant future 55 Salisbury Street / Worcester, MA 01609 / worcesterart.org Can you believe it? One year has gone by since I was two months this past summer, resulting in triple the foot nominated the 13th director of the Worcester Art Museum. traffic in 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. the most promising change was jumpstarting our long-term to the WAM Community plenty has happened over this year, and I am pleased to collaborations with local institutions, notably the Colleges have this opportunity to share some of the significant the past year was marked by a once in a generation the local, regional, national and international attention that of the Worcester Consortium and the Worcester Juvenile growth and positive change that has occurred since my change in leadership. Finding a successor for Jim Welu, WAM has received in the press and on the web since his Court System. the most discreet change was the initial appointment in November 2011. First and foremost I would at the helm of the Worcester Art Museum for more than arrival. the positive impact of his stewardship is evident in process of reorganizing our staff to better meet future like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our board of trustees a quarter century, was a complex task. We sought a the pages of this report, and I look forward to his continued challenges.the most ambitious change was when our and board president, Cliff Schorer, for their ongoing candidate who could understand and honor the successes success. It has been an honor working with him these past leadership team forged a vision and laid a foundation with e support of and commitment to this institution. h which to map our 10-year goals and establish bench t - m of the past, but also brought fresh ideas to the table. Our 12 months, and an even greater honor to call him a friend. f o c o . t charge was not a simple one: bring WAM to the forefront of marks on how to measure our progress and create g r Over the past year I have been struck by the quality and n a i In this my last year as president of this amazing institution, e n museum thinking, make WAM financially sustainable, and accountability among our colleagues. p investment of the Museum staff; a group of exceptional e a p t I would also like to extend my thanks to the team at WAM: . o - make WAM a major force in Worcester, Central w people whom I value tremendously. Not only are they e rest assured this institut w ion has incredibly healthy r the staff, the Corporators and my fellow board members. bones. w e Massachusetts and beyond. dependable an d inspirational, but also open to change. , h t It not just houses an outstanding collection, resides in d I would also like to add a personal thanks to Jim Welu, f n the most important development this year was the o e phenomenal real estate, but also owns a relatively healthy s n After a careful search we were very fortunate to be able whose open door and amazing spirit brought me into this n o i inevitable move from a four- to a five- workday week, t w endowment and employs a great staff. the most important a o to attract Matthias Waschek. Matthias brings the highest wonderful museum community as a volunteer. Our first r t b affecting many WAM staff members, without any changes l e e factor in this equation of success is YOu, the community l professional credentials: besides extensive experiences conversation about the Museum’s collection left me no a e to the annual budget. the rewards for this move will show, h c c that champions us, stimulates us and challenges us. It is i at the Louvre Museum in paris and the pulitzer Foundation doubt that this was a museum I could call home. I remain n i M as we grow even more productive and efficient. e y your right to ask for transparency and a vision that you can s for the Arts in St. Louis, MO, he has an impressive humbled by your faith, grateful for this opportunity, and, as b u t o r help sustain. this is your museum. Without you, we cannot H bibliography, a deep passion for art, and a proven track always, excited about the future at WAM. this past year is firmly rooted in the principles of strategic A n e e exist. If this mus p record of engaging new audiences. In addition he speaks focus. the seeds of financial sustainability, relevance and eum ignites your enthusiasm, if you p a t O . believe in what we can do and be, if we have gained your r r four languages, has a doctoral degree in the Fine Arts, and access were planted with the implementation of significant e e m m has extensive teaching experiences in higher education. changes to the way the Museum operates. the most trust via transparency and vision, you owe it to yourself m m u u and your passion to fully support us s so that we can uphold S From the beginning, his enthusiasm, strategic vision and emotional change was the reopening of the Salisbury n e o e i our core mission of “art for the benefit of all.” r fearless leadership continues to impress, as evidenced by Street doors, showing the community that we are open s Clifford J. Schorer, board president F s i s ’ m for business. the most visible change was evident in the d M I look forward to sharing our continued growth with you. a A quantity and quality of press attention the Museum e W e r g f received with leading articles, exhibition reviews and n i s ’ y o M j interviews in The Boston Globe, The New York Times, A n e W WGBH Greater Boston, and many professio s nal and art r d o n t i a journals. the most substantial change was when we took s Matthias Waschek, Director i s r V o : a calculated risk and opened the Museum for free over r o e d v t o e c e r k t c S a y b r u + b t s n i l o a r Cliff and Matthias in the Art Since the mid-20th Century gallery next to Nam June paik’s portrait of S F robert goddard, Worcester native and “father of modern rocketry.” Nam June paik, Robert Goddard, 1995, Aluminum structure, wooden cabinet, electronic components, / 1 / WOrCeSter Art MuSeuM Annual report:2012 worcesterart.org / 2 / neon glass tubing, two video sequences, Museum purchase with funds from Mary H. and Donald r. Melville, Linda and John Nelson and the theodore t. and Mary g. ellis Fund, 1997.108 Trustees are volunteers elected by the Corporators to manage the business of the Corporation. Individual trustees demonstrate their commitment to the Museum and its mission by providing leadership and strategic direction, by participating in programs and events, and by raising and Building on the successes of the past, our team has formulated a vision statement for the next contributing funds. trustees understand the Museum’s value within the community as well as in 10 years. This statement will help determine our strategic focus as we move forward. It will allow the lives of the people it serves. us to align our activities, focus on incremental goals and determine milestones of success. This statement is based on our Board’s request that we strengthen our sustainability and relevance, Board of Trustees 2012 Trustees Emeriti 2012 as we write the next chapter of institutional history. Herbert S. Alexander ellen r. berezin Julia D. Andreini Sarah g. berry Irene browne-grim Marie A. Angelini Mary t. Cocaine Joseph J. bafaro, Jr., treasurer J. Christopher Collins 2020 Vision Lisa M. bernat, Vice president* richard b. Collins In 2020, the Worcester Art Museum is a top cultural destination in New england. We Sara buckingham Dix F. Davis attract over 200,000 visitors annually to our exhibition spaces, and play a critical part Henry b. Dewey Suzanne r. Campbel-Lambert in the cultural and economic vitality of the city of Worcester. building on past Antonella Doucette Henry J. Ciborowski* successes, we expand our role as a focal institution in the region, providing cohesion Warner S. Fletcher Catherine M. Colinvaux Howard g. Freeman to an ever-changing social fabric. As a highly motivated team, we further connect with John b. Dirlam Nathan greenberg our communities and build on the synergy with our partner institutions, including the Susan M. Foley James N. Heald eleven colleges and universities in Worcester. gabriele M. goszcz george e. Hecker Capitalizing on our medium size, our encyclopedic collection and a robust exhibition patricia S. Lotuff John Herron, Jr. prentiss C. Higgins schedule, we emphasize our unique narrative – a narrative of connections: Katharine M. Michie M Howard Jacobson connecting art with individual experiences, joy and discovery, as well as connecting Charles H. Moser James D. Javaras people, cultures, and histories with the here and now of a globalizing world. this Moira Moynihan-Manoog John Jeppson narrative is supported by our visitor-focused culture, a highly welcoming environment phyllis pollack, Vice president William D. Kelleher and an all-pervading openness to experimentation and creative thinking. Clifford J. Schorer, president Judith S. King David A.