University of Iowa

 

Director, Museum of Art

 

We are pleased to announce that the University has appointed Sean O’Harrow, effective November 15, 2010.

 

Since 2007, Dr. O’Harrow has been executive director of the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. During his tenure, the Figge has been re-accredited by the American Association of Museums and has seen increases in both fund-raising and attendance, setting an all-time record for annual visitors and program participants in 2009-10 of over 69,000, including more than 20,000 students from pre-school to college age. He also helped the University of Iowa Museum of Art house, preserve, and display its collection at the Figge following the flood of 2008 that devastated the University’s arts campus.

 

Prior to taking up his post at the Figge, Dr. O’Harrow was an official fellow and development director of St. Catharine’s College at the University of Cambridge for five years, where he helped raise $34 million. He spent three years as a senior executive in a U.S.-based investment banking firm in London, responsible for strategic growth in Europe. He also worked for four years as chief operating officer of an international financial consulting and software firm in London.

 

Dr. O’Harrow earned his doctorate in art history from the University of Cambridge in 1997 and an undergraduate degree with honors in art history from Harvard in 1990. He is the recipient of a number of academic awards, including a British Academy postgraduate studentship.