Simone Wicha
Simone J. Wicha | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin |
| Occupations | Museum director, arts administrator |
| Known for | Director of the Blanton Museum of Art |
Simone J. Wicha is an arts administrator and museum director best known for her tenure as director of the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin. She was appointed director in 2011 and has led institutional initiatives that expanded the museum's profile, programs, and public presence.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]Simone Wicha was born in Mexico City and later attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied mathematics before moving into museum work.[2][3]
Career
[edit]Wicha joined the Blanton Museum of Art in a development role and, after serving in a series of leadership positions including deputy director, was appointed executive director of the museum in 2011.[4][5]
As director, Wicha has overseen major projects and programs at the Blanton, including the museum's work to realize Ellsworth Kelly's site-specific work Austin and efforts to redesign the museum's campus arrival and outdoor spaces in collaboration with Norwegian architectural firm, Snøhetta.[6][7] Under her leadership the Blanton has increased its national visibility.[8][9]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wicha implemented staff redeployment and other measures to avoid layoffs, an approach she described in public commentary and an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. Her pandemic-era staffing strategy received coverage in major art and general-interest outlets.[10]
Selected initiatives and recognition
[edit]- Leading institutional fundraising, public programming, and exhibitions that raised the Blanton's profile nationally.[9]
- Realization and interpretation of Ellsworth Kelly's Austin, a high-profile permanent installation associated with the museum.[8]
- Public commentary on museum management and policy, including on approaches to staffing and operations during crisis.[11]
Selected publications and media
[edit]- Wicha, Simone J., "The Creative Way We Avoided Layoffs" (op-ed), The Wall Street Journal, 2020.[10]
- Interviews and feature profiles in major art media and local press.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Austin's Artful Blanton Museum Says: Come On In". www.nytimes.com. 8 August 2024.
- ^ a b "'A curator of people': A conversation with Blanton Director Simone Wicha - CultureMap Austin". austin.culturemap.com.
- ^ "The 51 Artists, Curators, Directors and Dealers Changing the Art World in 2018". Observer.com. 9 May 2018.
- ^ "Blanton Museum of Art Announces Restructuring of Staff". artforum.com. 12 April 2010.
- ^ a b "Simone Wicha on Redeploying Museum Resources". ArtNews. 5 March 2021.
- ^ Self, Alexis (24 September 2025). "The bold redesign that put Austin's Blanton Museum on the global map".
- ^ Waddoups, Ryan (18 July 2024). "Snøhetta Wraps Up a Soaring Refresh of an Austin Institution".
- ^ a b "Director's Message". Blanton Museum.
- ^ a b Scott, Chadd. "Blanton Museum Of Art Ups Game To Equal Ascension Of Its Home City: Austin, Texas".
- ^ a b Wicha, Simone J. (19 May 2020). "Opinion | The Creative Way We Avoided Layoffs". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "By Redeploying Her Staff in Some Ingenious Ways, the Director of Texas's Blanton Museum Has Avoided Job Cuts Entirely". Artnet. 27 May 2020.
External links
[edit]- Blanton Museum of Art — Official site
- Simone Wicha on Instagram (public profile)