The Wichita Art Museum’s Board of Trustees announced Monday that the museum’s Director, Dr. Patricia McDonnell, will be retiring April 1st 2022.
During Dr. McDonnell’s nearly 10 year tenure at WAM, the museum saw attendance increase by over 60%, along with expanded public programs growing by 100% and membership seeing a 170% rise.
Dr. McDonnell additionally expanded the museum’s art collection by one third and brought major exhibitions to the Wichita area, and oversaw new renovations in 2020.
Martha Linsner, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “This museum has never been more active or more welcoming and inclusive, and we have Patricia to thank for these achievements.”
Dr. McDonnell herself said “I’ve now lived in Wichita longer than anywhere else in my life. I love it here, and I’ve found great reward–personal and professional–as I’ve helped to shape the personality at the Wichita Art Museum.”
