Theresa Sweetland, Director of Development and External Relations, Minnesota Museum of American Art

The Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA) in St. Paul has hired Theresa Sweetland as its new Director of Development and External Relations starting April 27. Sweetland has headed the Minneapolis neighborhood organization Intermedia Arts for the past six years, serving there in the dual role of Executive/Artistic Director.

In a valedictory announcement, Intermedia board chair Andrea Jenkins credited Sweetland with having "successfully revived [Intermedia] from near death in 2009 to our current position of strength and impact." Intermedia immediately named Julie Bates MacGillis to be the organization's acting executive director for the next six months while the board searches for a new director. A writer and spoken-word poet, Bates MacGillis is presently the Associate Director of Intermedia. She also recently received a Joyce Grant from the Arts Professional Development Fund for Emerging Leaders of Color.

At the MMAA Sweetland is expected to strengthen ties to the institution's current funders, solicit new revenue, increase the museum's membership, and broaden its visibility through marketing and communications.

The MMAA now presents temporary exhibitions of new work by Minnesota-based artists in a "Project Space" that's open three days a week (Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) in the historic Pioneer Endicott Building near Lowertown. The site is adjacent to the Green Line of the light rail system connecting St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Most of the museum's 4000 piece collection is presently in storage or on loan to exhibitions that travel the region. It organized the show "Modern Spirit: The Art of George Morrison" which is on view at the Minnesota History Center through April 26.