Tammis K. Groft appointed Executive Director of the Albany Institute

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ALBANY, NY (06/19/2013)(readMedia)-- In a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Institute of History & Art, held on June 17, 2013, Tammis K. Groft was appointed Executive Director of the Albany Institute. The decision to appoint Groft was unanimously approved by the 37 member Board of Trustees and Associates of the Albany Institute.

George R. Hearst III, Chairman of the Board stated, "Tammis has led the Institute to a new level of vigor. Her leadership has set a brisk tempo, featuring more programs, more visitors and more members. She has bright, visionary ideas, is committed and decisive, and has developed an energetic leadership team that can move forward in the best traditions of this institution."

Groft started as an intern at the Albany Institute in 1976 and was hired as Assistant Curator of Collections and Exhibitions in 1978. Since then, Groft has assumed increasing responsibilities and has served as chief curator since 1987.

"Tammis has grown in every position she has held. She has been an outstanding curator and I am sure that she will make an outstanding director." Said Phoebe Powell Bender, Past President of the Board of Trustees and current Associate of the Board of Trustees.

Groft has organized and researched or supervised the development of over 70 exhibitions, including Hudson River Panorama: 400 Years of History, Art & Culture (2009) and Matters of Taste: Food and Drink in 17th Century Dutch Art and Life (2002). Groft was named Interim Director in January, 2013, and has worked closely with the board of trustees and staff to manage day to day activities while engaging in long range planning.

"I thank the board of trustees for their encouragement, and I look forward to working with the community to continue the tradition of excellence that the Albany Institute has represented for over 200 years." said Groft upon her appointment.

Groft has had the pleasure of serving both of the Institute's long-time directors, Norman Rice and Christine Miles, "I am deeply grateful to both Norman and Christine for their mentorship throughout my career at the museum. I have learned a great deal from both and I am honored to follow in their footsteps."

Groft has obtained over 20 successful museum grants from federal agencies including National Endowment for the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment of Humanities, and Heritage Preservation; foundations including The Henry Luce Foundation; and New York State based grants including the New York State Council on the Arts, Greater Hudson Heritage Network, New York State Environmental Conservation/Hudson River Estuary Fund, the Capitol District Library Council, and the New York State Documentary Heritage Program.

She has lectured on a variety of topics including nineteenth century cast-iron stoves, Hudson River school, American folk art, and nineteenth and twentieth century American art, decorative arts and museum practices. Groft also serves as a lecturer for the Smithsonian Travel Program on the Hudson River.

In addition, Groft is an Adjunct Professor for the Public History Program, SUNYA and teaches a Graduate course called Curatorial Practices. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, in Williamstown, MA. Groft holds an MA in American Folk Culture from the Cooperstown Graduate Program, State University of New York at Oneonta, and a BA in Anthropology from Hartwick College Oneonta.

Selected publications include Hudson River Panorama: A Passage of Time, contributor, SUNY Press, 2009. Richard Callner: A Fifty-Year Retrospective, Albany Institute, author, Albany Institute, 2003, The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Art Collection and Plaza Memorials, contributor, 1987, revised in 2002, Rizzoli International Publications, 200 Years of Collecting: Albany Institute of History & Art, contributor, Hudson Hills Press, Publication Fall 1998. Robert Cartmell Paintings Prints, and Drawings 1971-1996: A 25 Year Retrospective, contributor, The University Art Museum, Albany, N.Y., 1996 Thomas Cole: Drawn to Nature, contributor, Albany Institute, 1993.

Cast with Style: 19th Century Cast-Iron Stoves From the Albany Area, author, Albany Institute, 1981, revised 1984. The Folk Spirit of Albany, Folk Art From the Upper Hudson Valley in the Collection of the Albany Institute of History & Art, author, AIHA, Albany, New York, 1978.

Groft lives in downtown Albany with her husband, David Quinn and their two children Elias, who is pursuing his a degree in Art History at the University of Glasgow, Scotland and Hallee, who is a staff member at the Saratoga Performing Art Center.