Bonnie Clearwater appointed new Director of NSU's Museum of Art
Nova
Southeastern University's (NSU) President and CEO, George L. Hanbury
II, Ph.D., today announced the appointment of Bonnie Clearwater, M.A.,
as the new Director of NSU's Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale effective September 3, 2013.
Clearwater joins NSU's Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale from the Museum
of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami. Clearwater will work closely
with the museum and university staff, and the museum's Board of
Governors, to lead the museum into an era of unprecedented
transformation and growth.
Recognized
for her visionary leadership, scholarship and commitment to artists and
education, Clearwater brings to the museum her extensive knowledge and
experience in shaping an institution's identity and mission, and in
developing thought-provoking exhibitions and collections. She shares the
university's goal of expanding the museum's educational initiatives,
partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaborations to fully integrate
the museum into both NSU's academic and extra-curricular campus life and
into the broader art world.
"Bonnie
has an exceptional track record as a museum director, curator and
scholar, and strikes the perfect balance as a creative visionary and
administrator with the ability to engage and inspire people of all
backgrounds," said Hanbury. "Capitalizing on NSU's academic resources,
she will develop new opportunities for synergy between the museum and
the university, forging exciting connections between art and education.
We look forward to her leadership at NSU's Museum of Art | Fort
Lauderdale."
One
of the most prominent figures in South Florida's art world, Clearwater
is the Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art
(MOCA), North Miami. During her 18-year tenure, she transformed MOCA
into a museum of international stature, recognized for its original and
groundbreaking exhibitions, collection, education and public programs.
Clearwater has championed both emerging and established artists, who
have become among the leading artists of our time, and played a key role
in establishing Miami as a preeminent international arts center and
destination.
"Bonnie
is an internationally known leader in the arts with tremendous energy,
creativity and an unparalleled understanding of the field," said David
Horvitz, chairman of the Board of Governors of NSU's Museum of Art l
Fort Lauderdale. "Becoming the Director of NSU's Museum of Art provides
a transformational opportunity for our museum, for the university, for
our community and for Bonnie."
"The
integration of lifelong learning and a love of the arts has been
central in my professional career and personal life, and is at the heart
of NSU's Museum of Art's mission," said Clearwater.
She
was present at the opening of the museum's building in 1986 when its
galleries and lofty spaces became a beacon of art and culture for all of
South Florida. "It's a gem of a museum that deserves worldwide
attention," she said. "I am looking forward to working with the museum's
deeply committed Board of Governors and staff, along with NSU's
leadership and faculty. Together, we will build upon the strong programs
already in place to raise the museum's standing regionally and
nationally as a dynamic center of culture, education and community
engagement."
To learn more about Bonnie's background, CLICK HERE.
Museum website found here
This is a really good sign for the museum. Bonnie Clearwater comes from MOCA, a museum that has always been one of my favorites and has been a leader in cutting edge original programing. What the Fort Lauderdale Museum desperately needs is strong community outreach as well as integration into the larger museum community and current art scene. I always felt the museum was being run like it was an island unto itself, unmoved by the exploding art scene in the community it serves and unwilling to take advantage of the vast cultural networks that exist. The partnership between the Museum and NSU was never fully explored nor the vast resources exploited. Reading Bonnie's resume I am impressed with her long list of accomplishments and the art associations she has worked with in the past. And congratulations goes to George Handbury for going out and getting such a impressive leader to head the Museum. It shows the University's commitment to the community and to the Arts. Fort Lauderdale deserves a world-class arts museum and this is a major step in the right direction. We should all welcome Bonnie and offer her our support. GL
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