Kim Manajek, of Denver Botanic Gardens, named new Director of Longmont Museum
Kim Manajek, of Denver Botanic Gardens, named new Director of Longmont Museum
Starting June 26, the Longmont Museum will have a new Director. Kim Manajek will join the Museum from the Denver Botanic Gardens, where she is currently the Associate Director of Exhibitions, Art & Interpretation. Manajek has been at the Botanic Gardens for nearly 10 years and was a charter member of the Exhibitions Department, responsible for establishing the vision for visual arts. The efforts can largely be credited for doubling attendance and membership for the institution. Manajek has also been responsible for grant writing, budget management, interpretation, and program development at the Botanic Gardens.
Manajek, who holds Master’s Degrees in both Anthropology and Art History from the University of Denver, has been a part of Colorado’s museum community for twenty years including positions at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Denver’s Museum of Anthropology and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
“We are delighted to welcome Kim to the City of Longmont and the Longmont Museum,” said Director of Community Services Karen Roney. “She is bringing incredible talent and experiences that will benefit our entire community.”
The Museum’s previous director, Wes Jessup, left in February after accepting a position at the helm the Spokane Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash. Curator of Research Erik Mason has been acting as the Interim Director since then. The search process for a new Director began in March, and Manajek was chosen from a pool of more than 80 applicants.
“Leading the Museum will be a great honor – the staff has developed exceptional exhibits, educational programs and performances. I look forward to building on the momentum of their hard work,” said Manajek. “With a thriving and dynamic cultural community, it is an exciting time to be in Longmont and to be at the Museum.”
The Museum opened the state-of-the-art Stewart Auditorium in 2015 – an addition designed to provide a premier performance space for small musical ensembles, films, lectures, theatre and dance. The expansion marked the culmination of a successful $4.5 million capital campaign. The Museum also recently completed a three-year strategic plan, charting the anticipated growth of the local institution. Membership at the Museum has increased by 50% since 2015, and this summer’s hands-on dinosaur exhibition is expected to break visitation records.
Manajek, who holds Master’s Degrees in both Anthropology and Art History from the University of Denver, has been a part of Colorado’s museum community for twenty years including positions at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Denver’s Museum of Anthropology and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
“We are delighted to welcome Kim to the City of Longmont and the Longmont Museum,” said Director of Community Services Karen Roney. “She is bringing incredible talent and experiences that will benefit our entire community.”
The Museum’s previous director, Wes Jessup, left in February after accepting a position at the helm the Spokane Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash. Curator of Research Erik Mason has been acting as the Interim Director since then. The search process for a new Director began in March, and Manajek was chosen from a pool of more than 80 applicants.
“Leading the Museum will be a great honor – the staff has developed exceptional exhibits, educational programs and performances. I look forward to building on the momentum of their hard work,” said Manajek. “With a thriving and dynamic cultural community, it is an exciting time to be in Longmont and to be at the Museum.”
The Museum opened the state-of-the-art Stewart Auditorium in 2015 – an addition designed to provide a premier performance space for small musical ensembles, films, lectures, theatre and dance. The expansion marked the culmination of a successful $4.5 million capital campaign. The Museum also recently completed a three-year strategic plan, charting the anticipated growth of the local institution. Membership at the Museum has increased by 50% since 2015, and this summer’s hands-on dinosaur exhibition is expected to break visitation records.
