After an 18-month-long national hunt, the search committee chose David Dee to lead the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
Dee became the interim director of the museum in July as the search, which reviewed a total of 42 applicants, continued.
“I’m delighted with the selection, he was chosen from an intensive two year search,” said Phyllis Haskell, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “He really impressed the search committee with his sound business practices and he knows the collection of the museum.”
Dee has been involved with the museum for many years, as a volunteer and as assistant curator of Japanese art. He also curated the exhibit “Innovation and Tradition in Japanese Woodblock Print” for the UMFA while he was completing his Master of Arts degree with an emphasis on Japanese and Asian art from the U.
“He provides a seamless transition between the history of the museum and the future of the museum,” Haskell said. “He understands all aspects of the museum, his understanding of the situation is important, he also understands the problems the museum might face.”
Haskell mentioned travelling exhibits, national networking and community outreach and education as ways she would like to see the museum grow under Dee’s direction.
“He has a good working knowledge of the community, as well as a good administrative history with the museum,” said Bill Balken, development and visitors services coordinator. “He worked in development of the university, he knows how the administration works. His family members are great donors to the university and the community, he’s on both sides.”
The UMFA moved into a new building in June which causes special challenges for the museum, according to Balken. Museum visitation has increased exponentially since the new facility opened, creating need for a greater support staff and volunteerism.
“It’s really so large it’s requiring we rethink the way we’ve done things in the past,” Balken said. “He has his work cut out for him, he has to identify funding sources.”
As interim director, Dee was part of the transition to the 74,000 square-foot building. The UMFA has a general collection of more than 17,000 pieces.
“He’s done a very good job and has the background necessary for it,” Haskell said. “He’s capable of doing a good job.”