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Lisa Hanover named director of Michener Art Museum in Doylestown

Lisa Tremper Hanover

By Stephan Salisbury, Inquirer Culture Writer

Posted: April 04, 2012

Lisa Tremper Hanover, longtime director of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, has been named director and chief executive of the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, the Michener's board of directors announced Tuesday.

She will succeed Bruce Katsiff, who has headed the Michener since 1989. Katsiff said last year that he would retire in 2012 and devote himself to photography.

Hanover, 55, has been the Berman's director for 25 years and also serves as an adjunct professor of fine arts at Ursinus, located in Collegeville, Montgomery County.

"I have had the distinct pleasure of being the founding director of the Berman Museum of Art and its continued success is important to me," Hanover said in a statement. She said, however, that "the opportunities offered by the Michener . . . are energizing and exciting to me at this point in my career."

Hanover said she wanted to extend the reach of the Michener's collections, exhibitions, and programs to "a variety of audiences."

Lou Della Penna, president of the Michener's board, said Hanover would add to the museum's profile in a number of areas.

"She brings an art history background with a connection to the contemporary art scene, and an ability to reach multiple constituents," he said. "I am confident she will heighten the dynamic presence of the institution."

In addition to establishing the Berman museum, Hanover successfully sought accreditation for the museum in 2004, built fund-raising relationships and curated exhibitions.

Most recently, she worked to expand the Berman. New galleries, storage, and teaching areas opened there in 2010.

She will join the Michener July 9.

Contact culture writer Stephan Salisbury at 215-854-5594, ssalisbury@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @SPSalisbury.