MINNEAPOLIS.- The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) today announced the appointment of Leann Standish as its new Assistant Director for Institutional Advancement. Standish will assume her position on July 7, 2008. Her appointment follows a national search under the guidance of Minneapolis Institute of Arts Director and President Kaywin Feldman.

“I had the great pleasure of working with Leann many years ago in Fresno, California,” said Feldman. “Now I am looking forward to her contributions here. We are very fortunate to bring on board someone with outstanding professional experience who will help to advance this institution in the years ahead.”

Standish began her career in arts administration at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum in California, where she worked in the development department and successfully secured national corporate underwriters such as Mercedes-Benz and Pfizer.

In 1998 Standish began work at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), where as Vice President for Development, she facilitated enormous growth in the museum’s membership efforts and raised over $8 million annually for its public programs. In 2000 she was recognized as the Outstanding Development Professional by the Willamette Valley Development Officers.

In December 2001 Standish became Director of Development at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, where she managed more than 13,000 household memberships, the largest non-profit membership roll in West Michigan.

In 2003 Standish joined the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) as Director of Institutional Advancement. In just over 12 months she successfully led the completion of the campaign to support building the new IMA, exceeding the $220 million campaign goal by nearly $10 million. In 2005 through 2006, as Director of Development and Communications, Standish worked with her team to develop and implement a successful marketing and communications campaign, which helped bring more visitors to the IMA’s exhibitions and programs, and led to deeper community support.

Presently, Standish serves the IMA as Deputy Director for Public Affairs and oversees development, marketing, public relations, visitor services and protection services.

“We will miss her greatly, but this is a wonderful opportunity for her,” said Maxwell L. Anderson, the Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. “Leann’s courageous leadership, love of community and candor will be sorely missed.”

As head of institutional advancement at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Standish will lead a new division consisting of the Development and External Affairs departments. She will also serve as a member of the MIA’s management team. Standish’s new position was created as part of the MIA’s reorganization in February.