Tyler Museum of Art Director Announces Resignation

Kimberly Bush Tomio to join Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

Kimberley Bush Tomio, Director of the Tyler Museum of Art, July 2012.

TYLER — Kimberley Bush Tomio has announced her resignation as Director of the Tyler Museum of Art (TMA). She will be leaving the Museum on August 24 to pursue her new position as Director of Museum Services at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

“This decision was very difficult for me, as my twelve-year tenure at the TMA has been a tremendously rewarding experience,” said Mrs. Tomio. “The Museum has grown in scope and vision since my arrival, and has achieved many successes. It has been an honor to be part of the historic changes that took place – and I am confident the Museum will continue to build upon its reputation and the local support from its members, foundations and donors who recognize the importance of maintaining a world-class art institution for this community and the wider east Texas region.”

“Kim has been a huge asset to this Museum and community,” said Verna Hall, President of the Board of Trustees. “The Museum has really prospered under her guidance and we hate to see her leave. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

The Museum will begin a search for a new Director in the weeks to come.

“The Tyler Museum of Art’s future is an exciting one, and I look forward with anticipation to the realization of a new museum project and enhanced endowment, plans for which the board undertook after several years of internal planning and commitment, and toward which much has already been achieved,” said Mrs. Tomio.

In 2006, after an extensive application process, the Museum was awarded accreditation by the American Association of Museums. Out of nearly 17,500 museums in the nation, only 4% meet the rigorous professional standards and achieve this distinction.

The TMA has also organized dozens of exhibitions featuring its stellar permanent collection and special presentations of early to contemporary Texas art.

Tyler Museum of Art

Over the past three years, Mrs. Tomio and her staff have worked diligently to organize The Wyeths Across Texas, an ambitious and important exhibition which will be on view from September 7 through December 9, 2012, then traveling to the El Paso Museum of Art. This will be the first major show featuring works by N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth—considered the most famous family of American artists–to be presented in Texas in over 25 years. All of the works are being borrowed from museums and private collections in Texas.

While under the direction of Mrs. Tomio, with the help of dedicated staff and a supportive Board of Trustees, the Museum has doubled its household memberships, tripled its annual budget and increased its permanent collection by over 1,000 works, including a significant pair of six-panel folding screens by 18th century Japanese artist Soga Shohaku and the Laura and Dan Boeckman Collection of Mexican Folk Art of over 650 works, one of the largest collections of its kind in the United States. The TMA also acquired a long-term loan of over 800 works of 19th and early 20th century American art from the Jean and Graham Devoe Williford Charitable Trust.