AUSTIN, TX.- The UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum announced that Sarah Story will become its new Executive Director as of April 2, 2018. Ms. Story was selected overwhelmingly by the UMLAUF Board following a national search led by a six-member transition team. According to the President of the Board of Directors, James Wood, “Sarah is leaving a distinguished role as Deputy Director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans to take on this new, exciting challenge in her career. Sarah has all the potential in the world to thrive in this role.” Ms. Story believes museums are an influential asset to the community because they bring people from diverse lifestyles and backgrounds into a place that allows for contemplation, interaction, participation, and discussion.

Ms. Story was drawn to the UMLAUF because she saw “the wonderful opportunity to work with a beloved institution that is ready for sustainable and exciting growth in a unique, cultural city.” As a museum professional with ten years of experience, she will be dedicated to fulfilling the UMLAUF’s mission while expanding its programming, outreach, and footprint. The UMLAUF, a public-private partnership within the Parks and Recreation Division, looks forward to its continued collaboration with the City of Austin under Ms. Story’s leadership. She will lead the initiative to incorporate Charles Umlauf’s home, studio, and private sculpture garden into the existing Garden and Museum and open it to the public. As the Deputy Director of the Ogden Museum, Ms. Story oversaw a $3.2 million budget and managed over 40 staff members from 6 departments. In her 6 years at the Ogden Museum, she contributed to the growth of the annual budget from $1.3 million to $3.2 million, 15 staff members to over 40, and 35,000 visitors to over 85,000 visitors annually.

Ms. Story also contributed to the restructure and enhancement of the young collectors’ membership program, expanding it from 11 to more than 200 active members. She organized events and travel for the Ogden’s highest level of membership group, the Richardson Society. She is looking forward to leading the UMLAUF’s Staff, collaborating with the Board, City of Austin, and engaging with the diverse community that makes the twenty-five-year-old UMLAUF Museum one of Texas’ most beloved museums.