Ella Sharp Museum Announces New Executive Director

(September 27, 2021 10:39 AM) The Ella Sharp Museum Board of Trustees today announced the hiring of Julie Johnson as the new Executive Director of Ella Sharp Museum. 

Johnson will oversee the non-profit organization which includes the Merriman-Sharp Hillside Farm, Mildred I. Hadwin Center for Art and History, and the Peter F. Hurst Planetarium.

Johnson comes to the Ella with extensive museum and non-profit experience. Most recently she was the Director of Museums at the Midland Center for the Arts. She has also been the President of the International Museum of Art & Sciences in McAllen, Texas, Vice President of Education & Engagement at the Michigan Science Center, Executive Director of the Detroit Children’s Museum, Associate Director of the Detroit Science Center, Associate Director of Informal Education at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago, and Education Project Specialist at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. 

While her focus is always on curating outstanding customer experiences, Johnson joins the museum with a wealth of knowledge in organizational effectiveness, public relations, educational programming, grant writing, exhibition design, and nonprofit management. 

“I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to join a dedicated board and lead the amazing staff at Ella Sharp Museum. I’m looking forward to meeting community leaders, educators, and the families of Jackson and surrounding communities as we envision a museum that tells the stories of the people of Jackson County,” said Johnson. 

The museum has been without a permanent Executive Director since Diane Gutenkauf left in March.

In an announcement, the board said it is excited for this new chapter in the Museum’s life, and confident that Johnson has the experience and vision to carry out our mission of providing opportunities for everyone to explore, engage in, and enjoy history and the arts. 

Julie Johnson will join Ella Sharp Museum in October of 2021.