The Ella Sharp Museum Board of Trustees announced that Diane Gutenkauf will assume the role of Executive Director for the Museum starting in January. The selection was made after a robust search and selection process focused on selecting a visionary and innovative leader for a growing organization which now includes, in addition to the Merriman-Sharp Hillside Farm and Mildred I. Hadwin Center for Art and History, the award-winning Cell Block 7, Michigan’s Prison Museum, and the Peter F. Hurst Planetarium.
Gutenkauf most recently served as the Director of the Robert R. McCormick Museum in Wheaton, Illinois, as well as the Interim Director of the Illinois Association of Museums. Her resume includes over 30 years of progressively responsible Museum and non-profit experience. She has a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University and a Certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Gutenkauf has a national reputation in the Museum field and has served on several museum association boards, including the Illinois Association of Museums, the Association of Midwest Museums, and the National Association of Museum Exhibition.
“I am honored the Ella Sharp Museum Board has chosen me as their next Executive Director. I’m excited by the Museum’s collections and varied program opportunities–from history and art to science and the prison museum. I’ve been fortunate to work in history, historic house and science museums but now I’ll get to combine all my interests and at the same time be inspired by the wonderful art exhibits and classes. I am looking forward to moving to Jackson and exploring new ways the Ella Sharp Museum can offer Jackson residents different experiences and new connections both with the Museum and with each other.”
“We are thrilled that Diane is joining us,” said Rick Mills, President of the Ella Sharp Board. “She stood out among a very competitive field. The Search Committee was particularly impressed by her experience and reputation in the field, her special interest in leading an interdisciplinary community-centered museum like the Ella, and her experience with improving the visitor experience.”
The Ella recently had its most visited exhibit in its 50-year history with the Lego-themed Art of the Brick Exhibit. Our Art, Beer, and Wine Festival is one of the most popular summer events in Michigan and it continues to grow. The addition of the Planetarium provides new opportunities for STEAM-related programming combining science, technology, engineering and math with the arts.
“We looked carefully for an Executive Director who could carry that momentum into the Ella’s next 50 years while reaching out to new audiences here in Jackson and throughout the region”, Mills said. “Diane looks forward to diving into the Jackson community and hitting the ground running. The Board is very grateful to Past Executive Director and longtime Museum friend Charles Aymond for his service as Interim Director, as well as Immediate Past Board President Karen Beers and Director of Collections and Exhibits Judy Horn for their continued service administering the Museum until Diane joins us in January.”
The Ella Sharp Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization bringing art, history to Jackson, Michigan. The mission of the Ella Sharp Museum is to provide opportunities for everyone to explore, engage in, and enjoy history and the arts.