PROVO, UT.- Mark A. Magleby, a BYU art history faculty member since 1997, has been appointed as the new director of the Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Stephen M. Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications announced Wednesday.

Magleby will officially begin in his new role Jan. 1, 2012.

Prior to his employment at BYU, Magleby was an art history faculty member at both The Ohio State University and Denison University. Magleby received his M.A. and Ph.D. in History of Art from The Ohio State University, having previously completed his B.A. from Brigham Young University. Magleby specializes in 18th century art and architecture, 20th century European art, and contemporary theory and criticism.

“Mark speaks as an avid insider about the contributions past exhibitions have made to the cultural and academic life of BYU and the greater community,” Jones said. “He has a vision about the museum’s future possibilities and the passion and dedication necessary to help it continue on a path towards excellence."

Magleby will replace former director Campbell Gray, who earlier this year accepted a position as director of The University of Queensland Art Museum in Brisbane, Australia.

“I am grateful this day as I transition into the legacy of Campbell Gray and I appreciate greatly his dreams and ambitions for this institution – and the wonderful staff he left behind,” Magleby said. “Remarkably talented colleagues at the MOA create concrete exhibitions from the most ephemeral ideas. It is a great honor for me to collaborate with their excellence.”

The BYU Museum of Art is one of the largest and best-attended art museums in the Mountain West and offers a dynamic exhibition schedule that includes displays of its permanent collection, world-class traveling shows and thought-provoking exhibitions organized by museum curators.

One of the museum's most important roles is its contribution to the academic mission of Brigham Young University. At the same time, the museum connects to broad community audiences through its exhibitions and educational programming.

“The museum has established itself as a symbol of artistic strength whose programs are selectively chosen and exhibited with very high academic, aesthetic and spiritual standards,” Jones said. “It has become an anchor for the BYU community and is established as a trusted and authoritative voice in church, community, state and regional circles with an ever-expanding influence nationally and internationally.”

Magleby’s scholarship has focused on the influential gardens of Stourhead in the United Kingdom, as well as the creation of a database of English garden history. He co-authored with Leslie Norris the book Kershisnik: Painting from Life. Magleby’s prior work with the museum includes co-curating the exhibition Allegories of Empire as well as assisting with exhibition-related symposia involving internationally recognized scholars. He has mentored art history students in England and supervised three study abroad programs.