Four finalists are in the process of being interviewed to move into Michael Watts’ position as director of the Tarble Arts Center when he leaves in March.

The first finalist to be interviewed was Peter Van Ael, the coordinator of the interdisciplinary certificate program of graduate study in museum studies at Northern Illinois University.

Ael said he is also coordinator of the Jack Olson Gallery and Gallery 214 at the NIU School of Art and Design.

He said he has done a lot while being coordinator at Northern.  He has completed projects with his classes that involved working with museums and galleries nearby the university along with private collectors in the area.

“Upon my appointment as coordinator of the museum studies program in 2009, I identified strengthening the program’s curriculum and making it more relevant to the profession by offering services beyond training tomorrow’s professionals as key priorities,” he said.

Ael said curating is a process of learning and sharing of knowledge with the public.

“I have a collaborative, outcome-based approach to teaching,” he said. “I strive to bring visibility and external validation to the program through the exhibitions and related programming produced by my classes.”

His five exhibits he created with his classes are currently available for travel, which he said extends the geographic reach and visibility of the program he helped create.

Ael said even though he is proud of what he has done at Northern and he likes working with his current colleagues, it is time from him to move on and try new things.

“I am at a stage in my career where I look forward to the opportunity to make significant contributions leading an American Alliance of Museums accredited art museum,” he said.

Ael said Tarble’s connection with the historical administration and art education programs will help him advance in his career by continuing promoting the best museum professional practices.

“Its geographical location roughly close to St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago affords access to a large number of accomplished artists, as well as significant institutional and private collections to draw upon when curating exhibitions,” Ael said.

His interviews were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday in Tarble by the screening committee, which will be interviewing all the finalists for the director position.

Glenn Hild, Interim Dean of the college of arts and humanities, is in charge of the screening committee and will be the one to hire the new director.

Stephanie White can be reached at 581-2812 or at sewhite2@eiu.edu.