April 13, 2022—Letter to Sun Valley Museum of Art Members
Dear SVMoA Members,
It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Board of Directors has asked Jennifer Wells Green to assume leadership of The Museum as our new Executive Director effective July 1, 2022. After an extensive, nationwide search that involved the review of more than 100 individuals, Green was selected with the unanimous consent of the full board. We believe that Jennifer’s museum and fundraising experience, as well as her skills in board development, donor engagement and administration, perfectly prepare her to lead The Museum into the next half-century.
Jennifer comes to us from Los Angeles, where she has spent two decades working in leadership roles in the arts at UCLA. Since 2016 she has served as the Executive Director of Development for the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, leading a successful capital campaign to renovate and expand the graduate art studios building and fundraising for student support, endowed chairs, faculty research, and public programs.
Before moving over to the School of the Arts and Architecture, Jennifer served for 14 years as the Deputy Director of Development at UCLA’s Hammer Museum where she helped build an institution globally recognized as a leader in the contemporary art field. During her tenure, Jennifer was responsible for strategic fundraising for the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs, board development, donor and member engagement, and special events and projects, including the Gala in the Garden, ARTS reSTORE LA, and KAMP (Kids Art Museum Project).
Jennifer received an MA in Art History from Brown University, and a BA in Art History from Scripps College. She will be moving to the Wood River Valley in June with her husband and teenage daughter.
We look forward to introducing you to Jennifer and hope you will join the Sun Valley Museum of Art Board and staff in warmly welcoming her and her family to The Museum and into our community.
Warmest regards,
Ellen Gillespie
SVMoA Board Chair
April 13, 2022—Press Release
Sun Valley Museum of Art Names Jennifer Wells Green as New Executive Director
Sun Valley Museum of Art Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Jennifer Wells Green has been named as the organization’s new Executive Director. Green comes to SVMoA from Los Angeles, California, where she serves as Executive Director, Development, at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture.
Under the direction of SVMoA’s Board, the executive search committee conducted a nationwide search for an ambitious and dynamic leader who could propel the organization into its second half century. Green was selected with unanimous consent of the Board following an extensive review of more than 100 candidates. Board President Ellen Gillespie reflects: We listened closely to what we heard from the board, staff and community about the essential attributes required to address the priorities of Sun Valley Museum of Art, and we are confident that Jennifer Wells Green is the ideal leader to steer the Museum forward.
Green has spent the last two decades working at the intersection of the arts and education and understands the profound impact that both have on individuals and communities. She has committed her career to building institutions that amplify community engagement and individual curiosity. With deep fundraising, board development, administrative and curatorial experience, Green’s skills are exceptionally well-suited to lead SVMoA into its next phase.
Green currently serves as Executive Director, Development at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, where she oversees a robust development and alumni affairs program. During her tenure she led the capital campaign to build the award-winning Margo Leavin Graduate Art Studios, designed by Los Angeles architecture firm, Johnston Marklee. Previously, Green spent 14 years in leadership at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles where, as Deputy Director, Development, she led strategic fundraising, board development, donor engagement, and special projects to help reimagine and build the institution, now globally recognized as a leader in the contemporary art field.
Green has an advanced degree in Art History from Brown University, and an undergraduate degree from Scripps College. She began her career at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis before moving into a curatorial role at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Green was also curator of the PaineWebber (now UBS) Art Collection and a Vice President at Citibank Art Advisory.
A native of Southern California, Green is moving to Ketchum with her husband and their teenage daughter.
"It’s thrilling to join Sun Valley Museum of Art at this moment and to lead an institution with such a rich history and artist-centered focus in a location of extraordinary natural beauty. SVMoA has, over its 50 year history, become a critical and much-beloved space for art, education and community. I am honored to extend that legacy and look forward to collaborating and innovating with the museum's board and team to support and strengthen SVMoA as a vibrant and inclusive institution."
Reporting to the Board of Directors as Executive Director, Green will provide the vision and strategic direction of the organization and is responsible for SVMoA's overall management, including its exhibitions; its education and community engagement and performing arts programs; its physical, financial, and human resources; and its future growth development. The Executive Director will inherit a strong and long-serving curatorial, programmatic and administrative team.
Green replaces Kristin Poole, who has served as SVMoA’s Interim Executive Director since June 2019 and Artistic Director since 1997. Kristin Poole states: Jennifer’s strong museum experience is perfectly suited to elevate the museum’s profile and strengthen the many ways we are serving this community and attracting artists, musicians and thought leaders from around the country. The staff is excited to work with her as we aspire to fulfill strategic goals to offer engaging programming for the whole of the Wood River Valley. The Board has made a great choice!
Questions?
Please contact Ellen Gillespie, SVMoA Board Chair or Kristin Poole, Artistic Director, 208.726.9491 x 118