The Wichita Falls Museum of Art (WFMA) at Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) is pleased to announce the selection of Tracee Robertson as the new director. Chosen after a nationwide search, Robertson will assume the duties of Director on July 1, 2019.

Robertson currently serves as the director and curator of the University of North Texas (UNT) Art Galleries in Denton, Texas, which she has led since 2007. She has established a reputation of bringing prominent and diverse contemporary artists to Dallas-area audiences, both through exhibitions and the artist-in-residence program, which is produced in collaboration with the UNT Institute for the Advancement of the Arts and University departments and colleges. Residencies have included performances, exhibitions, artist talks, classroom engagement, and graduate studio visits. Among the nationally known artists in residence have been Nick Cave and Kiki Smith.

Under Robertson's direction the UNT Galleries collection grew to 1,450 artworks, with a focus on works on paper by artists including Robert Motherwell, Auguste Renoir, Georges Rouault, Kiki Smith, and many contemporary artists. Additionally, she helped design a 7,000-square-foot exhibition and collection facility in the new $70 million Art Building wing.

Prior to her position in Denton, Robertson taught at the college level and curated independently, creating exhibitions for major museums. Previously, Robertson was executive director of The McKinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas; and earlier in her career, project coordinator for inSITE97 in San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico; and manager of the Conduit Gallery in Dallas.

Robertson holds a Master of Arts from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College in New York and a Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude in Art History from the University of North Texas. In addition to organizing more than 50 exhibitions, she has published and lectured widely. 

With experience as an academic-gallery administrator, Robertson will emphasize fully integrating museum programs into both campus and community life. “I am very excited about the role that the museum can play in serving both the faculty and students at MSU across colleges and departments, and the larger Wichita Falls community of residents and families,” she stated. “I am delighted to move to Wichita Falls and to become part of the community and the university.” Robertson will be relocating with her husband, Johnny Robertson, an independent exhibition designer and fabricator.

Dr. James Johnston, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at MSU Texas, who oversees the Museum, said, “Tracee was selected after a rigorous national search, with the enthusiasm of the search committee and the strong endorsement of President Suzanne Shipley. We were all impressed with Tracee's accomplishments during her 20 years in museum and gallery work.”

Robertson added, “It is a distinct honor to be invited to join the capable staff at the WFMA and to work with such a devoted advisory board and supportive university administration.”

Robertson will take the reins from Interim Director Danny Bills, who led the museum through the transition period and will continue in his long-term role as the museum's curator when Robertson arrives.

The search committee, chaired by MSU Board of Regents Vice Chair Nancy Marks, was comprised of advisory board and community members, faculty, and museum staff. Committee members were Lola Pitzer, Linda Wilson, Margie Reese, Gary Goldberg, Steve Hilton, Joshua Maxwell and BriAnna Satterfield. For the national search, MSU retained Marilyn Hoffman and Connie Rosemont of Museum Search & Reference, an executive-search firm located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Boston that specializes in placing museum leaders.

ABOUT THE WICHITA FALLS MUSEUM OF ART

Founded in 1967, the WFMA features an outstanding collection of more than 3,000 artworks, which focuses on American art of the past and present with a concentration on works on paper. Holdings include works on paper by Jasper Johns, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, John Sloan, and many contemporary artists. A large majority of collection was acquired from 1967 until 2005, prior to the merger of the Museum with Midwestern State University. Selections from the Museum's permanent collection are exhibited frequently in the Museum's gallery, and the collection continues to grow. The Museum offers programming that ranges from lectures and films to outdoor concerts under the Priddy Pavilion, and thousands of school children tour the museum or are served by family programs annually.