TACOMA, WA.- Tacoma Art Museum抯 Board of Trustees has chosen Stephanie A.F. Stebich as the museum抯 new Executive Director. The nearly six-month search for a new director ended yesterday afternoon when the board of trustees unanimously voted to elect Stebich as the museum抯 new leader.

Stebich, 39, has extensive experience in the museum field, and has held positions with nationally regarded museums such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Guggenheim Museum in New York. Stebich has also served for professional arts organizations such as the Association of Art Museum Directors, and American Federation of the Arts.

For the past four years, Stebich has been Assistant Director at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts in Minnesota, where she has managed all aspects of the Programs and Events division, including its $2 million budget and seventeen-person staff. Stebich has also developed community partnerships and outreach programs in this capacity at the MIA, and has served in various roles for professional organizations such as the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Action Plan, and American Association of Museums (AAM).

揥e found who we were looking for,� said Judith Nilan, Vice President of the Board of Trustees. 揝tephanie not only has the credentials and the passion for community involvement that defines Tacoma Art Museum, but she has the energy and drive to lead this organization through its next phase.�

Stebich will begin her career at Tacoma Art Museum in early to mid April. She will take the lead for Chief Financial Officer, Rod A. Bigelow, who has served as Interim Executive Director since Janeanne A. Upp left the museum in July 2004.

揥hat a great honor it is to join Tacoma Art Museum,� Stebich noted. 揟he organization is a flourishing, active member of the community. I am excited to join the family of staff and supporters who have built such a thriving institution with so many strong community relationships.�

Stebich holds a Master of Arts from New York University, and a Bachelor of Art from Columbia University in New York. In 1999, Stebich also received a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.