Taubman Selects Art Museum Professional as ED

Della Watkins: ED of theTaubman

The Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke has selected a native of Tappahannock and graduate of both James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth, Della Watkins, as its newest executive director after a search of several months. She has been an art educator and comes to Roanoke from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts where she was the chief educator.

She has two grown sons and is looking for a home in Roanoke.

Watkins has been with the VMFA since 1997 and has taught in Richmond, Virginia Beach and Charlottesville. Heywood Fralin of the Taubman board of directors said, "We're not ready to disclose that" when asked what her salary would be. She replaces David Mickenburg, whose term was ended Oct. 8 with the appointment of a new board and the announcement of a new director (including a couple of major gifts). The Taubman, says Fralin, has drawn 13,600 visitors since the restructuring, which he calls "remarkable."

Watkins says, "I look forward to working with this community, outstanding staff and committed board to take the Taubman Museum of Art to new and lively levels, applying the skills and knowledge I gained over the years while serving one of the nation's leading art museums. I am committed to leading the Taubman to be an even more engaging social, educational and cultural organization."