Scottsdale Arts Names Christina Brungardt as New Director

Scottsdale Arts has named Dr. Christina Brungardt as the new director of Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), with her tenure beginning August 31. Brungardt joins SMoCA with extensive experience in museum leadership, nonprofit fundraising and arts administration. She currently serves as director of institutional giving at the Alley Theatre in Houston, where she oversees foundation, corporate and government support as well as the Individual Giving team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Brungardt to Scottsdale Arts,” said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts. “In every conversation with Dr. Brungardt, it was apparent that, besides her strong qualification as a museum director and fundraiser, she fundamentally embraces the identity of SMoCA within Scottsdale Arts, recognizing the opportunities this creates – from reaching a broader audience base to education and outreach to collaborations among visual, performing and public arts,” Wuestemann said. “With an eye toward a future museum expansion, we are excited to have found the right leader for SMoCA’s future.”

SMoCA is the only nationally accredited contemporary art museum in Arizona and operates under the Scottsdale Arts umbrella, which also includes Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence, Civic Center LIVE and Scottsdale Arts @ Cattle Track.

Brungardt holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Her research explores the relationship between the arts and politics from the 1850s to the present.

She previously served as the Gabriele Haberland Director of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin, where she led the museum through American Alliance of Museums reaccreditation, organized exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and developed an institutional giving plan.

Her museum experience also includes serving as deputy director of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Earlier in her career, she worked with galleries in New York and Texas and served as finance manager of Neue Galerie New York Museum for German and Austrian Art. She has also taught art history at Bronx Community College, Hunter College and the University of North Texas.

Throughout her career, Brungardt has focused on administrative best practices, strategic planning, alternative fundraising methods and financial oversight. At SMoCA, she said she is eager to build on the museum’s accomplishments while strengthening its role in supporting contemporary artists.

“The strength of SMoCA’s collection and exhibitions, along with its commitment to collaboration, is what drew me to the organization and inspires me to think about the future of museums,” Brungardt said. “It provides an extraordinary opportunity to explore experimentation and connection as only the arts can: grounded in hope and infinite possibilities.”

“Her thoughtful and focused ideas to enhance SMoCA’s exposure, both locally and nationally, as well as her experienced approach to fundraising, will take us to a new level,” Elizabeth Shaw, SMoCA Committee chair, said. “I am looking forward to the future with Dr. Brungardt’s leadership.”

As she prepares to take the helm, Brungardt’s arrival marks a new chapter for an institution focused on contemporary art, collaboration and community engagement – with an eye toward an ambitious future that could include expansion. For more behind this Frontdoor, visit SMoCA – Scottsdale Arts.