Victoria Rowe Berry, executive director and chief curator of the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University, and Andrew Yarosh, director of the Moab Music Festival, have joined the Utah Arts Council Board of Directors. Berry and Yarosh were confirmed by the Utah State Senate Oct. 15, 2008, and joined the board for their first meeting Nov. 6, 2008.

“I am excited that we will have expanded geographic representation from northern and southwestern Utah,” said Margaret Hunt, director of the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. “I also look forward to working with Berry and Yarosh, both of whom have a significant level of professional artistic experience that will provide valuable insight to our board.”

 

“I am honored to become a member of the board of directors for the Utah Arts Council,” Berry said. “I thought it was important to give my service to an organization that benefits the arts throughout the state of Utah. The Utah Arts Council has been instrumental in supporting the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art with operational funds that have in turn provided access to exhibitions and educational outreach that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. I look forward to understanding more about how the Utah Arts Council functions and to make contributions as a board member for its continued success.”

 

Berry began her career in education, earning a bachelor’s of fine art in art education in 1979. After more than a decade in art gallery management, she returned to USU and completed a master’s of fine art in 1991. She has taught art in public schools and higher education for almost 30 years. In January 2000, she entered the museum world as education curator at USU’s museum, followed by her appointment as director in 2003. In this capacity she oversees a permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art, with special emphasis on contemporary art created by artists living or working in the western United States. Under her leadership, the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art has added a highly successful ArtsBridge program that integrates university students into K-12 classrooms, mentoring arts experiences for students and classroom teachers.

 

Yarosh also said he was honored to join the board of directors.

 

“I look forward to joining my distinguished colleagues as we help stimulate and encourage the arts in Utah and thereby enhance the state’s flourishing cultural environment,” he said.

 

The Utah Arts Council Board of Directors is a policy making board that interprets the statutes guiding the Utah Arts Council; advises on issues pertaining to short and long term planning; conducts program advocacy; and, evaluates budget recommendations. Board members can serve up to two full four-year terms.

 

The Utah Arts Council is part of the Division of Arts and Museums in the Utah Department of Community and Culture.

 

 

Contact: Claudia Nakano (801) 538-8805, communications director, Department of Community and Culture, Utah Arts Council
Contact: Victoria Rowe Berry (435) 797-0164