The Walters Art Museum today named Julia Marciari-Alexander as its new Executive Director.
Marciari-Alexander brings to the Walters more than 15 years of experience in all aspects of museum operations, including exhibitions, education, community outreach, publications and management, both at the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA), where she currently serves as the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, and at the Yale Center for British Art, where she held the position of Associate Director for Exhibitions and Publications, among other roles. Marciari-Alexander will begin her tenure on April 1, 2013.
Julia Marciari-Alexander joined the San Diego Museum of Art in 2008 as the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs. She also served as the Interim Co-Director (2009-2010) and Interim Deputy Director for Education (2010-2011). Prior to her work with the SDMA, she spent more than 10 years at the Yale Center for British Art, first as Assistant/Associate Curator of Paintings & Sculpture, followed by Associate Director of Programmatic Affairs and Associate Director for Exhibitions and Publications. During her tenure at the Yale Center for British Art, she also taught numerous courses in the history of art.
Marciari-Alexander replaces Gary Vikan, who is stepping down after more than 27 years of service to the Walters, including 18 years as Executive Director. Among the many transformative strategic initiatives implemented during his tenure was the elimination of the Walters’ general admission fee. The Walters was among the first U.S. museums to do so, resulting in sustained increases in attendance and greater diversity in its audience. This commitment to audience is in keeping with Henry Walters’ intent when, in one of the great philanthropic acts in American history, he gave his vast collection, house and gallery to the City of Baltimore “for the benefit of the public” in 1931. Today, the Walters is a national leader in scholarship, conservation and education, with more than 165,000 visitors annually. http://thewalters.org