The Briscoe Western Art Museum expanded its management team last week by hiring its first CEO and vice president.
CEO Michael Duchemin, who left his position as executive director of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Mont., and Vice President Elizabeth Mayfield Jackson, who most recently served as executive director for the Museum of the Big Bend and director of development for Sul Ross State University’s office of external affairs and university advancement in Alpine, Texas, will start at the Briscoe on Feb. 6, 2017.
“We are thrilled to be able to hire these two individuals as a team as we move into the next chapter of development for the Briscoe Museum,” stated Jessica Erin Elliott, board chair of the Briscoe Western Art Museum in a news release.
Duchemin has more than 30 years of experience in the art history world – from museum operations to curatorial collections management. Before his work in Montana, he held a senior curator position at Autry Museum of Western Heritage and was executive director of the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles.
“I am honored to help build on the organization, collaboration, and vision of the Briscoe to inspire the community to explore and engage with the diverse art and heritage of the American West,” Duchemin stated.
Before her work in Alpine, Jackson worked in communications at Practice Management Institute and Office Communications Systems in San Antonio. During the interview process, the Briscoe found that her strengths include fundraising, community outreach, and donor relations.
“I view the Briscoe as not only a sparkling jewel of San Antonio, but that of the great state of Texas as well,” Jackson stated. “In many ways, I feel as though I’m coming home.”
The new executives will allow Larry Fischer to step down as interim director and return to his role as chief financial officer.
Executive Director Steven Karr, who was brought in before the Briscoe first opened in October 2013, served until June 2014. Tom Livesay, who was hired in October 2014, brought with him experience with the American Alliance of Museums accreditation protocol and initiated the process for the Briscoe. Livesay retired in September.
The Briscoe now hosts a number of free events for the public as well as private for members throughout the year, most notably the popular Yanaguana Indian Arts Market and its Voices of the West lecture series.
