News in Brief: Fralin Director Takes New Role at Texas Museum

January 3, 2023 • By Brad Tuggle, brad@bluewatercommunications.biz Brad Tuggle, brad@bluewatercommunications.biz

January 3, 2023
Illustration of a stopwatch over a photo of the Fralin Art Museum

Matthew McLendon, J. Sanford Miller Family Director and chief curator of The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia, will leave at the end of the month to become director and CEO of San Antonio’s McNay Art Museum, the first modern art museum in Texas. McLendon will begin his appointment at the McNay on Feb. 13.

McLendon is widely recognized for his emphasis on community engagement and education, advocacy of cross-disciplinary programming and amplifying underrepresented and marginalized voices in the museum setting.

Portrait of Matthew McLendon taken outside the Fralin Museum

During McLendon’s six-year tenure, museum attendance and major support increased and diversified dramatically as The Fralin launched several new public programs. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

In his six years at The Fralin, he focused on invigorating the museum for UVA and its wider constituency. During his tenure, museum attendance and major support increased and diversified dramatically as The Fralin launched several new public programs.

“Under Matthew’s leadership, The Fralin Museum of Art at the University has made tremendous strides in facilitating important conversations through the museum’s collection and exhibitions,” Jody Kielbasa, UVA’s vice provost for the arts, said. “His work and collaborative spirit leave an indelible mark on The Fralin Museum of Art, the University of Virginia and our community of Charlottesville, and that work will benefit the museum’s visitors and the UVA community for many years to come.”

The museum’s chief operating officer, Hunter Hollins, and academic curator M. Jordan Love have been appointed interim co-directors. The Fralin Museum of Art will launch a national search in the spring for its new director.

Media Contacts

Brad Tuggle

Blue Water Communications

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