The Board of Directors of the Museum of Utah Art and History has promoted Kandace Steadman, who served as deputy director and most recently as interim director of the museum, to the position of executive director.

Steadman, who worked in development and administration since September 2004, replaces Tom Rugh, who left to become Director of Community Relations for TIAA-CREF in Utah. Rugh remains on the board as chairman of the National Advisory Council.

"She is uniquely qualified to assume this position because of her training, experience and knowledge of the museum's history and potential," said Rick Horne, board chairman. "We are confident she is the right person to provide leadership of MUAH, and there will be steady and positive progress as we move forward."

Steadman has more than 10 years of museum experience, serving as assistant curator of education and director of public relations at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Prior to coming to the MUAH, she was director of development in the College of Education at the University of Utah.

She has a B.A. in Art History and M.Ed in educational administration from Brigham Young University and an M.A. in Art History from the U.

— Dave Gagon