Rosa leaves UMMA at the end of September, although he will continue to be a part of the team organizing the Museum’s Victors for Art: Michigan's Alumni Collectors exhibition—a celebration of the University of Michigan’s Bicentennial in 2017—through next spring.
“While we are sad to see Joe leave UMMA, we’re very excited for his new opportunity at the Frye Art Museum,” Kathryn Huss, UMMA’s Deputy Director and Chief Administrative Officer, says. “His leadership and forward-thinking management style helped position UMMA as an art museum for the world. Our next director will be well-positioned to continue that success.”
The University of Michigan will launch a national search for a director this fall.
While serving as Director at UMMA since 2010, Rosa oversaw the expansion of the Museum's curatorial vision, outreach into the campus and local community, and the creation of $40 million capital campaign. His sound financial management, forward-looking digital initiatives, and culturally relevant exhibitions featuring emerging contemporary artists helped UMMA become a model of excellence for university museums.
UMMA was recently ranked number one among public university art museums in the U.S. by Best College Reviews.
Rosa oversaw the establishment of new photography, design, and media galleries at the museum, and expanded the curatorial team to include specialists in photography and African art. The Museum recently broke its attendance record, with almost 250,000 visitors during fiscal year 2016. During Rosa’s tenure, UMMA featured highly noted exhibitions such as Julian Schnabel, Catherine Opie: 700 Nimes Road, Doris Duke's Shangri La: Architecture, Landscape, and Islamic Art, Mike Kelley: Day is Done, and Isamu Noguchi and Qi Baishi: Beijing 1930.
“We are delighted that Joe will lead the Frye into its next chapter, delivering wonderful exhibitions and community programs,” said Douglas D. Adkins, President of the Frye's Board of Trustees. “Joe has a long and laudable track record of strong administration and scholarship at preeminent museums.”
Rosa will be the Frye Art Museum's sixth director. He succeeds Jo-Anne Birnie Danzker, who has served as Director of the Frye since 2009. Rosa is relocating to Seattle with his wife, Louise Rosa, and their two sons.
Other Coverage
Joseph Rosa Named New Director and CEO of Frye Art Museum - Frye Art Museum
Frye Art Museum Names New Director - Seattle Times
Joseph Rosa Named New Director and CEO of Frye Art Museum - ArtForum