Ward Museum announces new executive director

SALISBURY, Md. – The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art has announced their new executive director.

Dr. Kristin Sullivan will begin her appointment in December, however, she is no stranger to the museum. She served as the facility’s curator from 2014 to 2015, then director of exhibitions and research in 2016.

Throughout those years she was involved in exhibits, folk life programming, budgets, grant writing, publications, education, and marketing, so she is familiar with essentially all aspects of the museum.

Before coming to the Ward Museum, Sullivan served as assistant director and advisor for the Museum of Chincoteague Island, VA. She also taught at the University of Maryland, College Park, and led research in cooperation with the National Park Service.

Since 2016, Sullivan has directed the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions, part of the nonprofit Humanities Washington, based in Seattle. There she developed this new statewide folk like and traditional arts program, conducted extensive research, secured funds to develop programming for diverse stakeholders, and directed Humanities Washington’s grant-making program, along with other various duties.

“Dr. Sullivan is passionate about the museum’s collections and programs, and its relationship with SU and the community. We are confident that she will continue the legacy of the Ward brothers by preserving and interpreting the art forms and material culture of the Eastern Shore,” said Ward Foundation chair Dr. Kent Kimmel.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Sullivan bring her extensive experience back to the Ward Museum. Her experience in museum and folk life culture generally, and the Eastern Shore more specifically, will be tremendous assets to the museum and the communities it serves,” said Dr. Karen Olmstead, SU interim provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.