The Board of Directors of Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) is pleased to announce the selection of Maria Mingalone as Executive Director.

Maria joins Oceanside Museum of Art from 14 years at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where her most recent title was Director of Curatorial Affairs. Prior positions included Interim Executive Director and Director of Interpretation. At Berkshire, Maria oversaw the museum’s exhibition, educational, and public programs. She was involved in strategic planning and headed many fundraising initiatives including corporate and business sponsorships. She also secured grants to support programming and collections, all while supervising full- and part-time staff. Her fiscal responsibilities included successfully managing a departmental budget of nearly $800,000 and overseeing management of 45,000+ objects in the museum’s collection.

She holds a Masters of Science degree in museum education and leadership from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education in New York, NY.

“Maria’s background includes not only expertise in curating and museum education, but also 25 years of progressive museum and nonprofit management expertise. Her diverse background will be invaluable in advancing OMA as we enter our 20th year as an anchor in San Diego North County’s cultural landscape,” said Marilyn Agredano, president of OMA’s Board of Trustees.

“Oceanside Museum of Art is clearly an organization that has deep roots in the community and provides value and meaning for the residents of San Diego County. I look forward to becoming part of that dynamic and bringing my varied expertise to such an exemplary organization,” said Mingalone.

OMA’s search committee worked closely with Management Consultants in the Arts, a national arts consulting and search firm, throughout the rigorous and extended process. Mingalone was OMA’s Board of Trustees’ unanimous choice and she has been signed to a three-year contract as Executive Director.

Mingalone will be introduced on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Oceanside Museum of Art’s opening reception for Space, Structure, Light: The Art of Russell Forester and Irving J. Gill: A Comfortable Fit. OMA members at the President’s Circle level and above are invited to a special pre-reception from 5:00 to 6:00 pm to meet Maria along with featured artists, curators, and collectors one-on-one prior to the public reception from 6:00 to 8:00pm (members free, visitors $10).