Chase Stepping Down as Berkshire Museum Director
 Berkshire Museum Director Stuart Chase said creating the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation was among his proudest accomplishments. |
While he would not say where exactly he was going, Chase did admit that he plans on remaining "in the nonprofit world" as a consultant to other organizations.
"I am so very proud of where the museum is right now," Chase said in a phone interview. "It is positioned in a good spot. It's time for me to take a little break and move on to other things. There are lot of cultural opportunities in the area."
Chase is the third high-profile cultural director to leave in the last six months. David Fleming left last fall as director of the Colonial Theater, which has since merged with the Berkshire Theatre Festival, and Ellen Spear announced her departure last week from Hancock Shaker Village for a museum on Cape Cod.
Chase shouldn't have a hard time finding work. According to board president Mary Huth, Chase reinvigorated the museum at a crucial moment in its history.
"In the six years that he's been with us his accomplishments have been incredible," she said. "When he came in we were just in the midst of ramping up the Capital Campaign. Stuart stepped right in with no transition period and quickly took charge. It's hard not to get excited about things when he's around."
According to Chase, the $10.3 million Capital Campaign, which resulted in the construction of the 3,000-square-foot Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation as well as the creation of a $6 million acquisition fund, was one of his proudest moments as director.
"When I first came here there were so many silos," he said. "The entire Capital Campaign and the renovation of the building was my baby. It really reinvigorated this institution and brought it up to the present day and made it relevant to the 21st century while keeping the idea that this is a place of art and science, that art and nature are one in the same."
The idea to meld art and science followed on the coat tails of Chase's enthusiasm over the museum's existing collection, the potential of which, Huth said, was clear in Chase's mind.
"A lot of his success had to do with how he interpreted the collection the museum has," she said. "He recognized the strengths and was able to make the collection relevant to the community."
As the board begins a national search for a new director, Maria Mingalone, the museum's director of interpretation for the last eight years, will act as interim director.
"There's no one better suited to take the reigns during a transition period," said Jeremy Goodwin, director of communications. "Maria's been in the thick of it for eight years and she's a great person to work with."
While the board has regrettably accepted Chase's resignation, Huth knows that his shoes will be hard to fill.
"It's a very important position to fill. We won't make this decision lightly," she said. "We do have a sense of urgency and it is going to be challenging to find the right person. Fortunately the board has a good combination of new and old. It's great to have this historical perspective as we begin this search."
As for Chase, he can offer some sound advice for his successor.
"When I walked out of this place last Thursday night after the Science Fair and the awards ceremony for the kids, I was so proud of this place," he said. "I don't think I've learned more lessons, but working here has confirmed the things that I already knew. The community is the soul of this institution."
