GAINESVILLE, FL.- The Harn Museum of Art today announced the appointment of Carol McCusker as Curator of Photography. She is the first to fill the curatorship since it was endowed through a $1.5 million gift by the Mary Ann Harn Cofrin family, long-time supporters of the Harn. McCusker joins the Harn with more than 12 years of experience in the field, including serving as the Curator of Photography at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego from June 2001 – February 2010. She is also a seasoned educator, having served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Diego and at the University of California, San Diego.

“We are delighted that Carol will join the Harn team to fill the newly endowed curator of photography position,” said Rebecca Nagy, Harn Museum of Art director. “Carol has had a distinguished career as a curator of photography and professor. We know she will be an asset to the Harn Museum and the University of Florida as we continue to build a strong collection of photography, develop stellar exhibitions, and create engaging programs.”

McCusker specializes in history of photography and cinema, modern and postmodern cultural studies, 20th century popular culture, mass media, and documentary photography and film. She has a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts in Art History and the History of Photography from the University of New Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and Studio Art from the Massachusetts College of Art.

“I am thrilled to join the Harn Museum staff and the University of Florida as an endowed curator of photography,” McCusker said. “The Cofrins generosity will provide support for research, academic travel, and program development. I look forward to use these funds to curate thought-provoking new exhibitions for our visitors.”

The Harn Museum’s photography collection contains approximately 1,000 works, ranging from daguerreotypes and other mid-19th century images to large-scale contemporary color works including works by African and Asian photographers, emphasizing the collection’s integration with the museum’s other collecting areas. A particular strength of the collection is post-1960 American works. Jerry N. Uelsmann, who established a center of photographic studies at the University of Florida, is well represented by a comprehensive collection of more than 100 works. Other mid-20th century highlights include important works by Edward Weston, Diane Arbus, Minor White and Wynn Bullock. Important contemporary artists represented in the collection are: Richard Misrach, Cindy Sherman, Carrie Mae Weems, Robert Adams, Ana Mendieta, Louise Lawler, Dan Graham, Catherine Opie, Nan Goldin, Roni Horn, Allan Sekula, Sergio Vega, Andrea Robbins and Max Becher, and Sol Lewitt.