Steven Evans, managing director for the Dia:Beacon museum, has taken a new job in Texas where he will try to replicate the art acumen and community savvy that has made the huge modern art museum along the shores of the Hudson River a world-class success.
Evans has been with the nonprofit New York City-based Dia Art Foundation since 1990 and was involved in the establishment of the Beacon site, a former Nabisco box-printing factory built in 1929 which Dia renovated into a museum with nearly 300,000 square of exhibition space for modern art, while maintaining the structural integrity of the huge building, Â now a state and federal historic site.
The site was donated to Dia in 1999 and Evans was instrumental in opening the Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, in 2003, focusing on permanent and long-term displays of major works of art created from the 1960s until today. “When someone comes to the museum, they can spend all day,” said Evans, who notes more than a half-million people have visited Dia:Beacon since it opened.
Evans”™ last day will be Aug. 7 and that night a fundraiser is being held in conjunction with the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce on the grounds at Dia. “We”™ll uncork cocktails and I”™ll be there toasting,” he said.
The museum has had success for reasons even beyond the quality of the art, he said. “There is a vision that has been mapped out. Dia will continue doing what we do so well, present exhibitions, performance programs, lectures, education for kids, and really, work to grow the community programs.”
Dia Art Foundation Director Philippe Vergne lauded Evans contributions to Dia and in particular Dia:Beacon.
“He is the face of Dia in the Hudson Valley,” Vergne said. “He juggles many talents from his knowledge of art and artists to his management skills, from his presence in the community to his ability to produce major events and performances.”
Evans brings “rare passion and dedication,” to his work, Vergne said.
The region and Beacon in particular has benefited from Evans work at Dia, but he said he is simply following the vision laid out by the foundation.
“Dia is very concerned with connecting to the local community and continuing  to make that an ever deeper connection,”  Evans said, adding that outlook will not change under his successor because “ Philippe is completely devoted to that.”
The search to replace Evans is under way and Vergne said he hopes to announce a successor as soon as possible. “Right now, the search is as broad as it could be to locate the best candidate,” he said.
Vergne listed the skills being sought as management experience, community awareness, creativity, knowledge about and commitment to art, leadership, team building, fundraising savvy and good social skills.
“It”™s a very exciting position for someone who wants to make a mark at Dia and in the Hudson Valley,” Vergne said.
Evans will move to San Antonio to create and open a museum from the ground up on behalf of the Linda Pace Foundation. Pace died in 2007, but was a Dia board member who admired the vision and methods used to create their collection and exhibits.
“Steven stood out from a competitive field of international candidates for his proven executive skills, remarkable long-term museum experience, independent curatorial projects, and his engaging personality,” Rick Moore, president of the Linda Pace Foundation, said in a statement.
“I”™ve had the pleasure of being part of an amazing team,” Evans said. “It”™s a great place to work, the vision is clear and people stick around and it was a very difficult decision to make to take on this new opportunity because Dia is a very supportive environment. Â I know I”™ll miss it and miss the Hudson Valley.”
