Hope Alswang Named Executive Director of the Norton Museum of Art
WEST PALM BEACH, FL.- Hope Alswang has been appointed Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Norton Museum of Art, the Museum’s Board of Trustees announced today. She will assume her duties on April 15, 2010.
Before joining the Norton Museum, for the past four years, Ms. Alswang was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Museum of Art at the highly-regarded Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to that, she was executive director of the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont and director of the New York State Council on the Arts Museum Program.
Before joining the Norton Museum, for the past four years, Ms. Alswang was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Museum of Art at the highly-regarded Rhode Island School of Design
She succeeds Christina Orr-Cahall, who left the Norton Museum in May, 2009, to become Executive Officer and Director of the Experience Music Project (EMP) Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, WA.
Roger Ward, the Norton Museum’s Chief Curator and Curator of European Art since 2001, and Acting Director since last May, has been named Deputy Director.
In making the announcement today, William H. Sned, Norton Museum Board Chairman said, “We are very excited to welcome Hope Alswang as the Museum’s new Executive Director. Hope has an exceptional reputation not only as a strong administrator, but also as someone who loves art and who is able to engage the community in the life of the museum. In welcoming Hope, I particularly want to thank our valued associate, Chief Curator Dr. Roger Ward, who stepped in so ably as interim director during our search process. He is a great friend, an admired professional and a valued asset to the Museum.”
“I am honored to have been chosen by the Trustees to lead the Norton Museum,” Ms. Alswang said. “The Norton Museum’s permanent collection is one of the treasures of our nation. It is magnificent. The collection is a tremendous cultural resource for the Palm Beaches and indeed the entire Florida community. Christina Orr-Cahall, Roger Ward, the Trustees and the Norton’s outstanding professional staff have created together an exciting and vibrant institution. I look forward to helping to build on their remarkable success.”
Prior to joining the Rhode Island School of Design, Ms. Alswang was from 1997 to 2005 the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Shelburne Museum, the largest museum in Northern New England. She was Executive Director of the New Jersey Historical Society from 1992 to 1997. From 1987 to 1992, she was the Director of the Museum Program for the New York State Council on the Arts, responsible for reviewing the activities of the 250 museums and historical societies located in the State.
In addition, Ms. Alswang has served as consultant to a number of museums and historical societies, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in American History from Goddard College and was an Electra Havemeyer Webb Fellow at the Shelburne Museum.
She is married to Henry Joyce. The couple has two grown children.
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