DALLAS, TX.- Nicole Stutzman has been appointed Chair of Learning Initiatives and the Dallas Museum of Art League Director of Education at the Dallas Museum of Art, it was announced today by Robert Stein, the DMA’s Deputy Director. Stutzman, who is currently the Museum’s Director of Teaching Programs and Partnerships, will succeed Gail Davitt upon her retirement June 1, 2012. In this new role, Stutzman will direct learning and interpretive programs related to the collection and exhibitions for the public and institutional initiatives ensuring the Museum’s leadership role in education.

“Nicole’s work in the museum field is exemplary, and she has earned the appreciation and respect of colleagues both in Dallas and around the country, said Stein. “Her efforts in the Museum to engage visitors with the DMA’s collection and programs have been so important in creating a positive relationship with students and teachers. I’m excited that she can bring those skills to bear on continuing the excellent work of the DMA in engaging all the Museum’s audiences.”

“I am thrilled to step into this new role at the Dallas Museum of Art and grateful for the opportunities that have preceded it. The DMA’s collection, my colleagues, and the relationships formed with school and community partners have played a crucial role in fueling my passions and strengthening my abilities as an art museum educator,” said Stutzman. “I am thrilled to be a part of the energy and vision that Max and Rob bring, and I look forward to helping shape the next phase of this Museum.”

Stutzman began her tenure at the Museum in 1999 as a McDermott Graduate Intern in Museum Education and for the past twelve years has served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility within the DMA’s education department. As the DMA’s Director of Teaching Programs and Partnerships since 2006, she has been responsible for establishing and directing the Museum’s relationship with students, teachers, schools, universities, and community educational organizations, including supervision of the team that plans and implements all K–12 programming including teacher programs, online resources and teaching materials, Go van Gogh® outreach programs, student and adult tours, and partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations. Stutzman also designs and implements educational programming for all ages in the Tech Lab of the Center for Creative Connections. Earlier, she served as the Museum’s Head of Learning Partnerships with Schools and Community.

From 2008 to 2011, Stutzman served on the Museum Education Development Board of the National Art Education Association. In 2007, she was named Art Educator of the Year, Museum Division, by the Texas Art Education Association.

Prior to her work at the DMA, Stutzman was a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Art History at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee while working on her M.A. in Art History, having received a B.A. in Art History from the University of Evansville.