McKenna selected as Frederic Remington Art Museum's next executive director

Matt Curatolo, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

Nov. 13—OGDENSBURG — The Frederic Remington Art Museum has a new executive director.

Maggie M. McKenna, the former director of the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, will be taking over leadership duties Dec. 4 at the museum located at 330 Washington St., Ogdensburg. The museum was founded in 1923 and is dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, preserving and interpreting the art and archives of Frederic Remington.

McKenna takes over for Mimi VanDeusen who served as an interim executive director until she left on Sept. 14. Prior to VanDeusen, Board of Trustees President Douglas McDonald served in the post following Lora A. Nadolski's departure in December 2020.

"Maggie brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in strategic planning, community engagement, fundraising, grant writing, program planning, and staff management, making her the perfect leader to steer the Frederic Remington Art Museum into its next century," McDonald wrote in an announcement. "Under Maggie's guidance, SLC Arts flourished through innovative programming, robust fundraising efforts, and a strategic vision that revitalized the organization's mission. Her commitment to the arts and dedication to fostering a sense of community align perfectly with values upheld by the Frederic Remington Art Museum."

McDonald said that McKenna's role with SLC Arts for the past five years was "transformative."

"Her dedication, vision, and leadership have invigorated the local arts community and ensured the sustainability of the organization," he wrote.

McKenna has a bachelor's degree in music, mathematics, and violin performance from SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music and a master's degree in business administration from Clarkson University.

She is currently president of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, board member of ArtsNYS, and board member of the Women's Leadership Initiative.

In her parting message from SLC Arts dated Nov. 6, McKenna said that she was proud of the work she's done to "build SLC Arts up to where it is today."

"The last nearly five years have been transformative for me personally and professionally. I am nervous and excited to take on my next challenge, but I am also optimistic about all of the potential to create a stronger partnership between regional arts organizations in the future," she wrote.