NEW ORLEANS, LA.- Susan M. Taylor, the Montine McDaniel Freeman Director at the New Orleans Museum of Art, announced today the appointment of Brooke A. Minto as Deputy Director for Development and External Affairs. Minto, who previously served as Director of Development at Miami Art Museum and has more than 10 years of experience in the museum field, will oversee the membership and development, communications and marketing, and publication departments. Minto will take her position at NOMA on October 22, 2012.

With the appointment of Minto, NOMA establishes its new Development and External Affairs division. The division’s creation represents an expansion of leadership roles and responsibilities at the museum to ensure its continued growth and success into its second century of public service. As part of her position Minto will also serve on the senior management team, which is responsible for advancing NOMA’s mission, vision, and goals and guiding the museum’s staff.

“Brooke has distinguished herself by developing strong relationships with donors, cultivating young members and collectors groups, establishing an international committee, and working closely with the business community,” NOMA Director Susan M. Taylor said. “Her experience in ensuring that development activities reinforce the museum's mission while working closely with museum trustees and development committee members aligns closely with NOMA's needs and priorities at this time.”

Over the course of her career, Minto has served as arts administrator, fundraiser, art historian, and educator, working with institutions across the U.S. and abroad. Minto brings a wide-range of development skills to NOMA. She has spent five years in various program, audience and fund development roles at Miami Art Museum where she was responsible for developing strategies to increase annual support and realize the museum’s multi-million dollar annual operating fund. Minto’s responsibilities ranged from staff and event management to strategic planning, corporate and foundation donor relations, and major gift cultivation.

A graduate of Dartmouth College , Minto studied Art History and earned a Master's degree from Columbia University , New York , in Modern Art and Critical Studies. She began her career as Curatorial Assistant to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum , and as Manager of Education and Public Programs at Miami Art Central in Miami , Florida .

"I am thrilled to be joining the New Orleans Museum of Art at such an exciting moment in its history," Minto said. "I look forward to working alongside NOMA Director, Susan Taylor, in planning for the Museum’s next century.”