Press Releases

Monterey, Calif. - March 3, 2005 - The Monterey Museum of Art is proud to announce that E. Michael Whittington, currently a curator with the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been chosen as the Museum's new Executive Director.  Mr Whittington was selected after a nationwide search conducted by a committee of the board and a management consulting firm specializing in museum executive searches. As Executive Director, Whittington will be responsible for providing creative leadership to the staff and board and initiating and implementing the overall vision of the Museum.

 "The Museum has found in Mike a leader who has the energy and vitality to capitalize on our existing strengths and provide leadership and management for the next chapter in the Museum's history.  The Museum is about to enter a new era, and the board is very excited about delivering on its responsibility to contribute to and to enrich the community we serve" said Tom Archibald, Board President of the Museum.

Mr. Whittington comes to Monterey with a rich background in American art, both ancient and 20th century.  He is credited with building the Mint's pre-Columbian collection and has a long history of working with major collectors and donors to further the mission of that organization. He led the Mint to national and international recognition through the traveling exhibition, The Sport of Life and Death: The Mesoamerican Ballgame. 

Mr. Whittington will be formally introduced to the community during the Art Lovers' Benefit event this Saturday, March 5, at the Highlands Inn in Carmel.  Returning after a successful debut in 2003, the Art Lovers' Benefit is a biennial event, which benefits the Monterey Museum of Art's programming. This year more than seventy donated works of art by acclaimed local artists will be auctioned. For tickets to the Art Lovers' Benefit, please call 831.372.5477, extension 20.
 
The effort to hire Mr. Whittington was supported in part through the generosity of The Walker Foundation and The Community Foundation for Monterey County.

The Monterey Museum of Art is a non-profit museum that consists of seven galleries that display a wide variety of temporary exhibitions as well as works of art from an extensive permanent collection.  The Museum's exceptional collections, exhibitions, and educational program reflect the unique cultural heritage of the region. For more information about the Museum, please call 831.372.5477 or visit their website at www.montereyart.org