Cindy Nickerson has been named interim executive director of the Cape Cod Museum of Art, replacing Elizabeth Hunter whose resignation took effect last week.

       Nickerson was the former director and curator of the Cahoon Museum of Art and a guest curator at the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Two summers ago, she curated the Ralph Cahoon retrospective, “Chasing the Mermaids” in honor of the centennial of the artist’s birth.

       “We are extremely pleased to have Cindy join us at this critical time in the museum’s life,” said Hrant H. Russian, president of the museum’s board of trustees.” She not only is a distinguished art scholar, but also a talented and detailed administrator who will work with us as the board develops a revitalized strategic vision for the museum based on a sound financial plan and a continued strong commitment to the entire Cape Cod community.”

        Nickerson, who holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Denver and has been a designer and journalist during a very diverse career, said she is “extremely honored and challenged” by the opportunity to help guide the museum’s future path.

       “This extraordinary building – with its abundant collection of art – is a true community resource that must be more widely shared by all of our artists, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, full-time residents and visitors,” she emphasized. “We have hardly come close to reaching our potential.”

        “Cindy’s business and marketing background will be critical to our overall success,” emphasized Russian. “We also have strengthened these needed areas through the recruitment of our newer board members. They also come with an unprecedented sense of a common mission for the museum.”

          Nickerson was chosen by a board of trustees, more than half of whose members joined the board in the last year. The combination of Hunter’s resignation, Nickerson’s arrival and the presence of trustees who bring a fresh perspective is viewed as a unique opportunity to rethink the museum’s strategic future amid challenging financial times.

          “Like virtually every art-oriented nonprofit across the country, our museum has been deeply affected by the great recession. We no longer can depend so heavily on individual donors and institutional grants,” said one of the newest board members, Bett McCarthy, executive vice president of Kinlin Grover Real Estate.

          “Over the next three to six months, we will be developing a comprehensive strategic, financial and marketing plan to identify diverse sources of income for the museum and a more diversified, vital role for the CCMA to play in our community,” said Doreen Bilezikian, a board trustee and founder of the Christmas Tree Shops. “We can’t ask the broad community to support us until we illuminate how we can contribute and collaborate to Cape Cod’s economy and culture from Provincetown to Falmouth.”

           Russian also announced that seven of the museum’s current full-time and part-time staff positions are being eliminated while the trustees embark on the museum’s strategic planning process.  The curator and business manager positions are being retained.  The other positions will be converted to part-time roles temporarily or filled by a growing group of volunteers, including expert docents, he explained.

           “These painful, necessary steps will help assure our long-term viability and anticipated growth in 2013,” emphasized Russian. At the end of the trustees’ strategic planning, it is anticipated that responsibilities and roles will be significantly different. Staff losing their current jobs will be welcome to apply for any new positions, he added. 

            During coming months, visitors and members should expect virtually no changes to the museum experience. It will be open five days a week, Wednesday-Sunday, into the fall and early winter. The Screening Room remains open as well. The entire facility is available for private and business rentals.  Current summer classes and workshops will be unaffected. Two new planned exhibits will be placed on hold to guarantee their full success in 2013, said Russian.

           “During these next months, Cindy and the trustees not only will be searching for a permanent executive director, but also formulating plans, expanding collaboration and creating joint ventures to provide new programs in art education to the public; increase museum membership; and identify new funding sources to support the 30-year mission of the CCMA to preserve the cultural and artistic heritage of Cape Cod for generations to come,” said Russian.

         For more information, please contact Hrant (Hank) Russian at 508-945-9840.