New art museum director to promote famous works

by Libby Kelly

Daily Lobo

Linda Bahm is not an artist, but she is taking the UNM Art Museum by storm.

Bahm has taken up the challenge to fill former director Peter Walch's shoes and wants to improve the museum and make it more visible to the public.

"The museum is a treasure, a hidden treasure," Bahm said. "People are not aware of the size of our collection, which is over 31,000 objects, or the depth. We have a wide range of art from Rembrandts and Picassos to Georgia O'Keeffe and many modern photographers."

The museum hosts one of the most amazing collections of photography in the nation, Bahm said.

Walch served as museum director for 16 years before retiring in 2001. Before he left, he completed a valuable resource for the museum: a book titled Highlights of the Collection, which has helped the museum a great deal, Bahm said.

Bahm has a master's degree in history and extensive experience in museums, including a seat on the board of directors at the National Atomic Museum.

"I've worked in museums for about 22 years now," Bahm said. "I was associate director of the UNM Art Museum from 1995 to 2001 and interned as director since August 2001."

Bahm's first job with a museum was at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology as assistant director for seven years.

"I was amazed by the wide range of events a museum put on," Bahm said. "The people and collections are fascinating."

To find a suitable director, the museum conducted a national search, ending with four finalists who were interviewed for the position.

With the staff, the director of the museum develops the plan for the museum, the exhibition calender, and makes decisions on new acquisitions, Bahm said. She will also provide a resource for the museum studies program, a graduate studies minor that trains students to work in museums.

"It's really an excellent program," Bahm said. "It's doing fairly well. They have undergrads taking a lot of the classes, and we're hoping to get an undergraduate minor as well as a certificate program soon."

As director, Bahm hopes to not only raise credibility, but to get professional accreditation from the National Museums Associations as well.

"It's a three-year process usually to get accreditation, but worth it," Bahm said.

A new lighting system is also in order.

"We need a new lighting system to replace the antiquated one we have presently," Bahm said. "Old systems have to be used carefully so light doesn't damage the artwork."

Visibility to the public and the University is her top priority.

"The museum is a treasure and a valuable resource to the University," Bahm said.

An upcoming event to gain visibility is the Southwest exhibition in the fall, featuring pieces of art and culture of the Southwest. Later in the year, the museum will display the work of soldiers from the Vietnam War. Museum officials have also received a grant from the city to work with Albuquerque Public Schools and use the museum as a teaching resource.

"Working in a museum is never boring," Baum said.