The executive director of the Columbia Museum of Art is one of five presidential nominees chosen this month to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board.
The board advises the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent agency that is the primary source of federal money for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Karen Brosius will combine her new responsibilities with those she handles as director of the Columbia museum.
“My goals are to help provide the IMLS with insights and experience from my 20-plus years as a corporate funder and one who has a national and international familiarity and understanding with museum and libraries,” Brosius said. “In addition, my experience leading a museum nonprofit here in South Carolina will lend an interesting dimension to the discussions as well.”
Her resume already shows a history of service. Brosius is on the Association of Art Museum Directors, and she’s served on the boards of numerous arts organizations and AIDS and hunger relief groups. She received the 2006 “Woman of Distinction” Award from the Girl Scouts of Congaree for community service. Brosius and the other new board members were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 3. Brosius said she will finish out the remainder of a term expiring Dec. 6, and then begin a full-five year term expiring Dec. 6, 2011. Her first board meeting will be Sept. 27 in Washington, where she will be sworn in.
The 24-member advisory body includes the director and deputy directors of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the chairperson of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and 20 members of the general public who have demonstrated expertise in, or commitment to, library or museum services. Those members must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The trustees advise the IMLS director, Anne Radice, on general policy and practices, and on selections for the National Awards for Museum and Library Services, Brosius said. The new position could prove to be a boon for South Carolina.
“I hope that my involvement on this board will contribute to the well-thought-of reputation and generate additional visibility for the Columbia Museum of Art. South Carolina is very fortunate to have such an international and significant museum in its capital city,” Brosius said.
Before taking the lead at the Columbia museum, Brosius worked at Altria Group in New York for 21 years. During her time with the company, she was the director of media relations, director of corporate affairs, director of corporate contributions and public affairs, and manager of cultural programs. She also was head of public affairs for the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York before joining the Altria Group.
For more details about the National Museum and Library Services Board and the rest of the Senate-confirmed members, visit the Institute of Museum and Library Services Web site at http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/080406.shtm.
