Melanie Crader Named Guild Hall’s Inaugural Director of Visual Arts

On May 3, Guild Hall announced the appointment of Melanie Crader as director of visual arts, an inaugural position. According to a release, Crader comes to the position with over 20 years’ experience in senior level art museum positions and at Guild Hall, “will be responsible for realizing a dynamic exhibition program that builds on the museum’s history while incorporating new directions in creative practice.”

Crader’s previous posts include director of exhibitions and publication management at the Hammer Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles, various management roles at The Menil Collection in Houston, including budget and project manager and manager of curatorial projects, and most recently, deputy director at the Parrish Art Museum where she also served as interim director.

“Melanie is an extraordinarily capable museum professional who has helped artists ranging from early career to internationally known realize their visions with complexity and sensitivity,” Guild Hall Executive Director Andrea Grover said. “We are fortunate to have someone with her robust talents joining our newly envisioned program team.”

That team includes Nick Schwartz-Hall, director of performing arts at Guild Hall, and Anthony Madonna who is the director of learning and new works. Melanie completes this trifecta of exceptional artist-supporting professionals.”

“It is inspiring to join an artist-centric, interdisciplinary and storied institution such as Guild Hall,” said Crader. “The culmination of my experience, combined with my passion for relationship building, has prepared me to take on this new and exciting role as director of visual arts in Guild Hall’s thoughtfully renovated facility. I look forward to working with Andrea and such an incredible collaborative team in this vibrant community I call home.”

Originally from Louisiana, Melanie Crader, holds an MFA from Ohio University, Athens; a BA from McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana; and attended the Banco Santander W30 Program, UCLA Anderson School of Management. In addition to being a museum professional, she is an artist and educator.

Crader will begin her tenure on May 15, in advance of Guild Hall’s reopening and summer season. She will manage the first exhibition to be presented in the newly renovated galleries, “Renee Cox: A Proof of Being,” guest curated by Monique Long.