Museum announcement

Photo Credit: Studio B Photography, Inc.

At their meeting on March 17, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science unanimously approved a three year contract extension to the John Streetman Executive Director Mary McNamee Bower.

 “Mary’s depth of knowledge of the Museum’s collections, involvement with all aspects of the Museum’s operations, and steady, collaborative leadership have brought the institution through this challenging time. The Board has full confidence in Mary to lead the Museum forward in presenting dynamic exhibitions and the highest quality of educational programming for our community,” says Stephanie Engelbrecht, President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

Bower, now in her 43rd year with the Evansville Museum, began her career in Evansville after graduating with a degree in art history from Illinois State University. In addition to curating the art program of the Museum as the Virginia G. Schroeder Curator of Art, Bower has been team leader of three accreditation evaluations of the Evansville Museum by the American Alliance of Museums; was staff liaison for project management of the $14 million facility renovation and expansion completed in 2014; and served as Interim Director for 20 months after the retirement of longtime Executive Director John W. Streetman. 

 In 2014, Bower was promoted to Chief Curator, overseeing planning and implementation of all art, history and science exhibitions and educational programming. In 2018, the Museum’s Board named her the John Streetman Executive Director. Bower currently serves on the Mayor’s Public Art Commission and the Advisory Board of the College of Liberal Arts at University of Southern Indiana.