SARASOTA, Fla. – 16 Aug, 2017 - The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art has promoted Sarah Cartwright, Ph.D., to the position of Ulla R. Searing Curator of Collections. Cartwright began her curatorial duties on July 28, 2017. In this position she plays a central role in developing and executing The Ringling’s exhibition program while being responsible for the care, display and interpretation of a wide-ranging collection of European art of international standing.
Cartwright joined The Ringling in 2013 as a post-doctoral Curatorial Research Fellow. During this time she worked closely with the museum’s permanent collection, building documentation on the European paintings and providing research assistance. At the conclusion of this fellowship, she assumed the role of Grants Administrator. Over the last three years, Cartwright has secured well over a million dollars in support of exhibitions, conservation and general operations.
In 2016 her efforts led to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) choosing The Ringling as a recipient of its highly competitive Museums for America grant program. Each year, top-tier institutions from around the country compete for these funds, with applications undergoing a strict peer-review process. This grant has allowed the museum to renovate onsite storage space, which will lead to the entirety of the paintings collections being housed on property.
“Sarah Cartwright has been invaluable to the institution,” said Steven High, executive director of The Ringling. “I was thrilled to offer her this promotion, as she has a comprehensive knowledge of the collection as well as a wealth of experience. I look forward to seeing the exciting work she will do as a member of our curatorial staff.”
Prior to joining The Ringling, Cartwright held curatorial positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at Villa La Pietra in Florence, Italy, as well as a Mellon Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship in Art History at Columbia University.
She obtained her Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Art History from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, and her Bachelor of Arts from the College of Arts and Science at NYU. Her field of specialization is Italian Renaissance painting and manuscript illumination.
As Curator of Collections, Cartwright will engage diverse audiences with The Ringling’s holdings while raising the museum’s profile through scholarly research and exhibition programming.
“I’m excited to be working again with The Ringling’s collections of European art, which inspired me as a young person growing up in Sarasota,” said Cartwright. “I feel honored to be part of such a fantastic team and further the museum’s mission.”
About The Ringling
The Ringling is a preeminent center for the arts, history and learning that is dedicated to bringing the past and contemporary culture to life through extraordinary visitor experiences. From its inception, The Ringling has joined the diverse visual traditions and theatrical spectacle of yesterday with the genre-defying global practitioners of today.
A place of exploration, discovery and respite, The Ringling’s campus in Sarasota, Florida – which includes the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, a historic home, an 18th-century theater and bayfront gardens – is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As the State Art Museum of Florida and part of Florida State University, The Ringling fulfills an important educational mission. The Ringling offers formal and informal programs of study serving as a major resource for students, scholars and lifelong learners of every age across the region and country and around the world.
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