Bloglander

The Gonzaga University Jundt Art Museum has hired Paul A. Manoguerra as director and curator starting June 1.

“I am looking forward to becoming a member of the community in Spokane, and to serving an active role as a representative for the Jundt Art Museum, for Gonzaga University, and for the arts in the region,” Manoguerra says in a press release.

Since 2002, Manoguerra has been the chief curator and curator of American Art at the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia.

Manoguerra has curated a number of award-winning exhibits and projects. He is also a respected academic and has taught at several universities. He says in the press release that he believes that all great American universities need to have thriving art museums.

“As such, the students and faculty at Gonzaga need to feel and to believe that the Jundt Art Museum is their art museum; to take ownership in its programs and activities,” he says. “In line with Gonzaga’s own strategic plan, one goal for the Jundt would be to strengthen existing programs and to create new ones that informed and involved students and faculty in the everyday life of the museum.”

Manoguerra received his doctorate in American Studies from Michigan State University, a master's in museum studies from The George Washington University and his bachelor's degree in history from University of Notre Dame. Academically, he has focused on art in American colonies and the United States from the 18th to 21st centuries and on the philosophy and theory of museum curation and management, among other things.

Manoguerra is replacing J. Scott Patnode, the first curator and director of Jundt, who retired last year.