Contemporary Art projects
George Kinghorn
Biography
George Kinghorn was appointed the Director & Curator of the Zillman Art Museum (formerly known as the University of Maine Museum of Art) in June 2008. Under Kinghorn's leadership the Zillman Art Museum has experienced a 256% increase in visitation since 2007, has developed a five-year strategic plan and significantly expanded the Museum's educational and exhibition offerings. In addition, the Museum has added many important contemporary works to the permanent collection and has implemented new art conservation initiatives.
From 1999-2008, Kinghorn was with the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and served in several positions including Deputy Director & Chief Curator and also as Director. During his time at MOCA Jacksonville he worked cooperatively with architects and designers on the renovation of the six-floor historic building in downtown Jacksonville, assisted with fundraising efforts related to the capital campaign and exhibition sponsorship, managed the opening of the Museum’s children’s interactive center the ArtExplorium Loft, and curated the series of grand opening exhibitions featuring a roster of national and international artists. As Director he opened the successful upscale bistro restaurant Café Nola, worked with trustees to develop and adopt a comprehensive strategic plan for the institution, and facilitated an array of substantial gifts to the permanent collection. Kinghorn received his Master of Fine Art degree in visual arts from Michigan State University.
He has organized over 100 modern and contemporary art exhibitions including:Second Skins: Sculptural Soundsuits and Tondos by Nick Cave; Intuition and Response: Masterworks from the Edward R. Broida Collection; Highway of Thought: Photographs by David Hilliard; The Consuming Image: New Painterly Pop; Towards the Organic: Material and Metaphor; Alt.Photo/Redefining Process; Shared Vision;Arnold Mesches: A Painting History, Push Play: Redefining Pop; Image and Energy: Selections from the Haskell Collection; Activating Space: Sculpture as Environment;Sheltering Eye: Photographs from the Prentice and Paul Sack Photography Collection; Contemporary Currents: Selections from the Bank of America Collection.
Kinghorn has been as a guest lecturer and juror at universities throughout the country including: Boston University; University of Florida; Florida International University; Savannah College of Art and Design; University of Central Florida; University of North Florida, and University of Central Arkansas. In 2009, he was the juror for the national publication New American Paintings. Kinghorn has served as a visual art grant panelist for the Maine Arts Commission Percent for Arts and the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs. He has presented at numerous regional and national professional conferences including the National College Art Association, National Association of Youth Museums, Southeastern Museum Conference, Florida Art Education Association, and the Florida Association of Museums.