Wally Mason has been named the new director of Marquette's Haggerty Museum of Art.

Mason will leave his post as director at the University of Maine Museum of Art, Marquette officials announced.

Mason, whose appointment at Marquette is effective Nov. 1, was selected following an extensive search coordinated by a national consulting firm. He succeeds Dr. Curtis Carter, who resigned in March 2007 to return to faculty status.

"Mason brings to Marquette a strong background as a museum director and curator, a passion for the importance of the visual arts both at the university and in our community and the ability to generate enthusiasm for unique exhibitions and programs of outreach to various audiences," said Marquette President Father Robert A. Wild, S.J.

During his 11-year tenure at the University of Maine, Mason oversaw construction of a new museum facility, significantly expanded membership and increased the museum's collection by more than 1,000 pieces of artwork, including a 120-piece collection of works of papers ranging from turn-of-the-century German expressionists to English and American printmakers and a collection of 85 contemporary Japanese woodblock prints.

"The Haggerty Museum of Art is an ideal model of the college museum," Mason said in a statement released by the University. "Dr. Carter's achievements as its director set a very high standard, and it is an honor to be asked to uphold that standard. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to advance the museum's contribution to Marquette's educational and cultural life."

Vice Provost Peggy Bloom, who chaired the search committee, said committee members were particularly impressed by Mason's educational programming, both for university classes and students and in outreach to K-12 schools and community groups. "He will build upon the excellent reputation Dr. Carter established for the Haggerty," she said.

Mason said he will also work to achieve accreditation for the museum through the American Association of Museums. "The Haggerty has a long-standing reputation for quality in the art world," he said.

"Accreditation acknowledges that we are using best practices to ensure quality exhibitions and programs, as well as the storing and preservation of artworks."

Mason, who has a bachelor's degree from Beloit College and earned his MFA from Indiana University, served as director of the university galleries at the University of Idaho and of the Selby Gallery at the Ringling School of Art and Design before moving to Maine. He has curated a wide variety of exhibitions.

The Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum of Art, which opened in 1984, includes four main galleries and houses a permanent collection of more than 8,000 works of art. The museum presents between 10 and 12 special exhibitions annually. Its permanent collection includes European and American contemporary art, Old Master paintings, as well as works on paper, photography, and small collections of African and Asian art.