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UAlbany Names New Museum Director
Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980
 ALBANY,
N.Y. (January 29, 2004) -- The University at Albany
has named Janet Riker as director of the University
Art Museum. Riker leaves the Rotunda Gallery in
Brooklyn, where she has been director since 1989.
The Rotunda Gallery is a dedicated to the exhibition
of contemporary art, architecture and design by
Brooklyn artists. Prior to assuming the Rotunda
post, she was director of the Art Gallery at Queensborough
Community College, CUNY, assistant curator at
the Drawing Center in Manhattan and administrator
of the Carpenter + Hochman Gallery/Delahunty Gallery
of New York and Dallas.
"Janet brings solid experience and a proven
track record in museum operations, exhibitions,
public programming, fund-raising, and community
outreach," said University Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs Carlos Santiago.
"We are delighted to welcome her to the University
at Albany, and look forward to working with her
to ensure that the Museum remains an essential
centerpiece of the University and community."
"I'm thrilled to have been appointed director
of the University Museum at the University at
Albany. I look forward to working with the Museum
staff and the many members of the University and
Albany community, who are committed to enhancing
the Museum's position as a vibrant center of the
visual arts and a place for active learning and
intellectual engagement," said Riker.
In addition to her director's responsibilities
at the Rotunda, Riker has curated numerous exhibitions,
including Animas!, which explored animation in
the performing and visual arts through puppets,
sculpture and installations; and, most recently,
To Scale, an investigation of size and scale in
contemporary painting, sculpture and photography
featuring the work of, among others, Ming Fay,
Allesandra Esposito and Andy Yoder.
Riker earned a master's degree in Art History
from Columbia University and has served on many
advisory committees and selection panels of agencies
including the New York City Department of Cultural
Affairs, New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority
and the New York State Council on the Arts.
The appointment, which follows a national search,
will commence April 1, 2004.
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The University at Albany's broad mission of excellence
in undergraduate and graduate education, research
and public service engages 17,000 diverse students
in nine degree-granting schools and colleges.
The University has launched a $500 million fundraising
campaign, the most ambitious in its history, with
the goal of placing it among the nation's top
30 public research universities by the end of
the decade. For more information about this internationally
ranked institution, visit www.albany.edu.
For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts,
visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.htm.
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