SANTA BARBARA, CA.- The University of California, Santa Barbara has named a highly regarded arts administrator and dynamic educator with extensive curatorial experience to serve as director of the University Art Museum.

Kathryn Kanjo has been, since 2000, executive director of Artpace San Antonio. Described as a "laboratory for the creation and advancement of international contemporary art," Artpace is a contemporary arts exhibition and educational foundation that invites visiting artists and curators for residencies and produces original exhibits and installations. Under Kanjo's leadership, Artpace has experienced unprecedented growth, emphasizing community outreach and greater exposure for the artwork.

The University Art Museum at UCSB is considered a national leader among university art museums, with an ambitious program of exhibitions, publications, and educational activities.

"The University Art Museum is known for its innovative and culturally diverse exhibitions, catalogues, and interdisciplinary programs," said David Marshall, UCSB dean of humanities and fine arts. "Kathryn Kanjo has the ideal experience, professional expertise, and vision to build on this foundation and lead the museum to develop new strengths and creative collaborations."

Prior to joining Artpace, Kanjo was curator of contemporary art at the Portland Art Museum. Earlier in her career, she was associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego and manager of the Whitney Museum of American Art at the Equitable Center in New York City. The author of numerous publications, she received a B.A. in history and English literature from the University of Redlands and an M.A. in art history and museum studies from the University of Southern California.

"The University Art Museum is rich in potential, and I am eager to connect with the intellectual vitality of UCSB, from its faculty and staff to its students and alumni," said Kanjo, who will begin her new duties at UCSB in September. "The campus resources are tremendous and will help fuel innovative programming that will link the university to the local community and the broader art world."

The University Art Museum's distinguished permanent collections include more than 8,500 works of art and 750,000 architectural drawings and related materials. It is accredited by the American Association of Museums.