Tacoma's Museum of Glass hires external affairs director

Tacoma’s Museum of Glass has announced the selection of Joanna Sikes for the position of director of external affairs. In this role, Sikes joins the development and marketing team in building and fostering relationships with Museum constituents. Prior to coming to MOG, Sikes worked for more than 20 years at Chihuly Studio in the roles of studio manager, marketing/client relations and director of special projects.

“Joanna has an exceptional background in the studio glass community and possesses the leadership, relationship building and planning skills needed for this position,” said Museum of Glass Executive Director Susan Warner. “She also has a strong vested interest in the Pacific Northwest arts community, so she was an ideal candidate for us. We are excited to have her on board.”

Sikes previous experience includes tenures at the Phoenix Fine Arts Museum the Crocker Museum of Art and the American Federation of Arts where she worked with more than 20 museums around the country with a focus on sculpture. She also worked as a project manager for Donald Lipski where she formed strong relationships with major American museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Walker Art Center.

While at Chihuly Studio, Sikes served as liaison between the Studio and the founding committee for the Museum of Glass and, most recently, as a founder and member of the senior management team of Denny Park Fine Arts. She is often asked to lecture on the world of glass and the work of Dale Chihuly.