At their June Board meeting today, the Albany Museum of Art Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept Paula Bacon Williams appointment as the permanent Executive Director for the AMA.  This is not Williams’ first time at the helm of the AMA, as she was employed by the museum in 1987-1993. During her tenure as Museum Director, Williams was responsible for leading the Museum through its first Accreditation. Of the more than 8,000 museums nationwide, less than 800 are accredited.  The AMA is one of only 11 in Georgia to be accredited.

“It is such an honor to lead this fine institution which offers so much to the community in terms of economic development, tourism, and as a source of art education to an area that has very little opportunity to see art in its original form. Our art education program has been growing by leaps and bounds and it feels great to be a part of that,” said Williams. “This reconnection to the AMA feels both personal and historical,” said Williams.

AMA President Kirk Rouse, in expressing his enthusiasm about the appointment, cited Williams’ prior years at the Museum and experience in marketing and communications.  “The Museum will benefit from her experience, energy, openness, and passion both for art objects and for how people interact with them,” said Rouse. “In the nine-month period that Williams took the Interim position, the Museum has made major strides: with a sound financial footing, increased membership and an exciting education and exhibition schedule for the upcoming year.” Rouse, added, “Paula is a lady of tested ability, sound judgment and keen perception. She will serve well and bring credit to the museum.”

“I’m excited to work with the Museum’s capable staff to build on the museum’s prestigious legacy and outstanding collection and to expand its role as a vital center and resource for the local school

system, local colleges, and for the community,” said Williams. Williams said one of her long-term goals include making improvements and expansions in the facility and programming, but especially building upon our advances in terms of inclusion and diversity. “She is a leader in collaborative thinking about how this museum can best reach our diverse audiences,” said Rouse.

Williams comes to the Museum with a wealth of experience, including her work as Managing Editor of the Albany Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine, owner of a design firm, Executive Director of the Dougherty County Medical Society, and most recently as a Corporate Communications Specialist for Inova, a five-hospital health system in Washington, DC.

The Albany Museum of Art also announced at their board meeting today that Kirk Rouse was reelected to a second term as Board Chairman; K.K. Snyder was named Vice President, Ripley R. Bell has been appointed Treasurer and Nealy Stapleton, Secretary.   Nominating Chair, K.K. Snyder also announced that the Museum has elected four new Trustees, deepening its commitment of diversity and inclusion: Michael Mallard, Kelley Brim-Hollowell, Bruce Campbell and Silena Wingfield. At a prior meeting, Alfreda Shepphard, Parker Webb Douglas, Milan Patel, and Christie Cannon Cole were elected to serve on the board.

“Our Board is as distinctive as our institution and its mission, with all the Trustees passionately devoted to this institution and to new ideas. Like the Museum’s programs, we have great strength and generational mix among our Trustees—a very special combination reflected by the recent expansion of the Board. This is an exciting time at the Albany Museum of Art,” said Rouse. “We welcome our new Trustees to the Museum at a great moment in its history.”

For a complete listing of the New Museum Board of Trustees, please visit: http://www.albanymuseum.com/board.html.