When Robert Knight became executive director of the Tucson Museum of Art in 2005, he stepped into an organization that had suffered through two tumultuous years marked by staff, board and donor friction.
Tuesday, he announced his retirement.
Knight is leaving a museum with increased attendance and membership, a cohesive board and staff, and a strong volunteer staff and base of donors. The museum’s annual budget is about $3.5 million a year — a number that has increased by a half million since he first arrived.
The board has launched a national search for his replacement, said Board of Trustees President Michael Hanson. Knight, who earns $165,000 a year, will stay on until his replacement is hired.
Knight cites his work bringing the different factions together as an accomplishment of which he is most proud.
“More than anything, it’s working closely with the board, volunteers and terrific staff and getting them all to play well together,” said Knight in a phone interview.
“Connections and interactions make (a museum) work. We have a phenomenal board, terrific staff and great volunteers. To me, that’s the most rewarding.”
During Knight’s tenure, membership increased about one-third, to around 3,200, a museum gallery dedicated to Latin American art opened, and he presided over exhibitions that brought in new attendees and new members. Those include the 2009 show “Ansel Adams: A Legacy,” “Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends” in 2010, and, especially, the blockbuster, “The Figure Examined: Masterworks From the Kasser Mochary Art Foundation.” It opened in October of 2014 and was extended a little more than a month, closing in April of this year. The exhibit broke all museum attendance records, bringing in 30,000 to the museum.
“He was pivotal in bringing that show to the museum,” said Hanson about “The Figure Examined.” “It was the biggest show the museum had had in many, many years.
“He was a spectacular leader and he created a lot of interest in the museum,” added Hanson.
He said the search committee will look for someone with the same talents that Knight has.
In addition to a deep knowledge in art history and of the art world, Hanson’s successor should “be a people person, and be able to communicate succinctly with board members, donors, artists and the community in general. That’s number one in my opinion.”
Though there is no set deadline, Hanson is hoping that a new executive director of the museum can be in place before the holidays.
