High Desert Museum president to retire
High Desert Museum President Janeanne A. Upp, who oversaw the Bend museum through a period of growth and financial stability, will leave the organization in December, the museum announced Monday.
Upp will retire after over 20 years in the museum industry.
For the last six years, Upp has managed the programs and finances of the museum, balancing the budget and driving attendance growth to record levels in part through a dynamically changing exhibit schedule.
She oversaw the retirement of the museum’s long-term debt in 2013 and its recent strategic planning process that will direct the Museum through the next five years.
“Janeanne, through her valiant and exemplary leadership, has brought this organization successfully through a difficult period, and is leaving the Museum in a great place,” said David W. Souther, board chair.
“When I began at the High Desert Museum, my goals were to eliminate its debt, build strong revenue streams, manage expenses and introduce new, relevant, interesting programs to engage the community and draw visitors,” Upp stated. “I’m leaving the museum in good hands to continue the positive growth that we achieved while I’ve been here.”
Upp added: “I originally came to Central Oregon to retire, and now I’ll finally be able to enjoy it.”
A national search will be undertaken to find Upp’s replacement.
Before serving as High Desert Museum’s president, Upp was the executive director of the Tacoma Art Museum. While there, she completed a $27 million capital campaign and led the museum in opening a new building. Prior to Tacoma, she was the COO at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chief Financial Officer of the Museum of Science and Industry, both in Chicago.
About the Museum
The High Desert Museum is a nationally acclaimed nonprofit museum with native wildlife, historical performers, Native American and Western art, and educational programs for all ages on 135 forested acres.
