Margie Johnson Reese has been named interim executive director of the African American Museum of Dallas following the retirement of its longtime director in December. Reese will fill the position during the search for a permanent director.
She will follow in the footsteps of ., who founded the museum 50 years ago. She said she felt called to steward the museum during the transition.
鈥�I lived in the Dallas community for 35 years. I have a very strong connection to this institution,鈥� Reese said. 鈥淚t's a responsibility that I could not turn down.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
In her role as interim executive director, Reese said she will lead the museum鈥檚 administrative functions, guide facility upgrades and work with the board to set strategies around funding, staffing and public programming. She will also help with the search for a permanent museum director.
鈥淢y goal, more so than vision, is to hand over a healthier organization 鈥� that's ready to take on the vision of the new CEO that will be selected by the board,鈥� she said.
Robinson, who mentored Reese in the early days of her career, said he鈥檚 confident in her ability to lead the museum through the transition.
鈥淗aving Margie at the helm during this period means I can sleep at night,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he has the right amount of passion for the museum and the necessary skills to assess the future needs of the organization.鈥�
Reese has had a 45-year career in arts advocacy and management, including 16 years in Dallas where she worked at the Dallas Opera, Dallas Black Dance Theatre and the Dallas Museum of Natural History. She also served as director of what鈥檚 now known as the city of Dallas鈥� Office of Cultural Affairs. During that time, Reese contributed to the development of the Dallas-based youth education program Big Thought and helped steward the construction of the Latino Cultural Center.
The arts administrator also worked as general manager of Los Angeles鈥� Department of Cultural Affairs and program officer for the Ford Foundation, where she led grant-making for media and arts and culture projects in 14 countries along the West African coast.
Former Dallas City Council Member and board chair Vonciel Jones-Hill also voiced her support for Reese as interim director.
鈥淢s. Reese鈥檚 history working closely with Dr. Robinson as a trusted colleague makes her the ideal candidate to take on this important role,鈥� Jones-Hill said in a press release. 鈥淪he clearly has the knowledge and expertise that we need, and her commitment to the arts is unwavering.鈥�
Reese said she expects to serve in the role for at least the next year while the board conducts a search for the next permanent museum director. W. Marvin Dulaney will continue to serve as the museum鈥檚 deputy director.
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