MILWAUKEE, WIS.- The Milwaukee Art Museum today announced two key additions to its senior leadership team: Elizabeth Siegel has been appointed the Museum’s Chief Curator, and André Allaire has been named Chief Development Officer. A seasoned curator and leader, Siegel comes to the Museum after 25 years at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she is currently Curator of Photography and Media. Allaire, who is currently Assistant Vice President for Development at Parsons School of Design, the nation’s top art and design school, has spent the past 25 years fundraising for arts, cultural, and educational institutions predominantly in New York City. Siegel will assume the Chief Curator role beginning January 9, 2023, and Allaire will become Chief Development Officer on January 1, 2023.
“We are delighted to welcome Liz and André to our senior leadership team, and I know their extensive experience will be invaluable in shaping the future of our Museum,” said Marcelle Polednik, Donna and Donald Baumgartner Director of the Milwaukee Art Museum. “Liz is a respected curator, collaborator, and scholar whose innovative approach, commitment to community engagement, and relationships in the field make her the perfect leader for our curatorial team. With his decades of experience as a strategic fundraiser for arts and cultural institutions and passion for the arts, André will be a vital partner in securing essential support to advance the Museum’s mission.”
As Chief Curator, Siegel will leverage her extensive experience organizing exhibitions, conducting curatorial research, and stewarding acquisitions and collections to expand the institution’s reach and impact. She will lead the Museum’s Curatorial and Collections departments, spearheading the Museum’s exhibitions program and scholarly publications and overseeing acquisitions for the Museum’s permanent collection.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Milwaukee Art Museum, which I have long admired for its strong commitment to fostering inclusive programming and for its innovative use of contemporary art to connect visitors to historical works in its dynamic collection,” said Siegel. “You can feel the energy and excitement when you walk into the Museum’s building, and I am looking forward to working with the curatorial team and community to amplify what they are already doing to share the transformative power of art.”
As Chief Development Officer, Allaire will work in partnership with the Director, staff, and Board to set the philanthropic strategy for the institution and lead fundraising in support of the Museum’s mission and strategic direction. Overseeing the Development and Membership departments, Allaire will collaborate with colleagues across Curatorial, Education, Community Dialogue, Marketing, Design, and Finance, and work closely with the Board of Trustees to raise critical dollars that support the Museum’s esteemed collection, exhibitions, and programming.
“I look forward to joining the Milwaukee Art Museum team, bringing my experience as an entrepreneurial fundraiser and as a leader motivating and inspiring teams,” said Allaire. “Having studied Art History as an undergraduate and worked to advance the missions of some of New York’s most esteemed educational and arts and cultural organizations, I am excited to return to the museum world where I can align my professional expertise with my deep personal passion for art.”
