Malloy to reign over museum

CHICAGO, IL (AAPNW) – Appointed as the Dana Feitler Director of the Smart Museum of Art, it becomes official this October 1, 2022 when Vanja V. Malloy will lead the University of Chicago’s fine arts museum and its exhibitions, public and arts education programs and student and faculty collaborations.

     “I have long admired the forward-thinking initiatives and exceptional energy for the arts at the University of Chicago. The Smart is uniquely positioned to bring the University and Chicago communities together through art and a spirit of inquiry that transcends traditional boundaries and disciplines,” said Malloy. “I am excited to lead the Smart’s next chapter and look forward to working closely with the museum’s talented staff, the Board of Governors, colleagues across the University, and Chicago’s South Side communities, among others.”

Malloy joins the Smart Museum from the Syracuse University Art Museum, where she was appointed director and chief curator in 2019. While at Syracuse, she introduced a rotating thematic organization of the university’s permanent collection. This innovative approach put works from a wider range of periods and cultures into conversation with one another; thusly created new connections across the collection as well as among visitors about the practices and ethics of collecting art.

Among others, Malloy also founded the Art Wall Project, which annually commissions a contemporary artist to create a temporary installation at the museum supported by robust programming. In addition, she piloted a program that invited faculty fellows to rework established course curricula to engage with the museum’s collection.

In addition under her guidance, the Syracuse University Art Museum built a new study room to support a rapidly expanding number of class visits. Malloy also oversaw the creation of a new strategic plan for the museum, which centered diversity and inclusion in the museum’s goals for collecting, exhibitions, programming and collaborative partnerships.

“Vanja Malloy is a brilliant and inspired choice to serve as the next Dana Feitler Director of the Smart Museum,” said Theaster Gates, Professor of Visual Arts, who chaired the search committee. “It was clear to the search committee that she believes in Chicago as a cultural center and the Smart as a necessary artistic force for the city. I can’t wait to see all that she does for and with the Smart.”

For more information, see https://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/