Bo Dean named CAM's development director

L.S. “Bo” Dean, Jr., will become the Cameron Art Museum’s newest director of development.

Museum officials made the announcement Tuesday.

Dean, who will serve as the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Honors Scholars College program manager until November 25, takes over the opening vacated in January  2010 by Diana Corbett.

As part of his new job title, Dean will be responsible for pushing the art museum’s brand throughout greater Wilmington, forging new relationships and partnerships with various groups in the community, and bringing new educational opportunities to the museum. He will also help maintain and grow the museum’s Million Match campaign — a program where the Bruce Barclays Cameron Foundation, a Wilmington-based philanthropist organization, will match donor funds.

Dean said he currently divides his time between the university and museum to make his transition smooth. He’s excited about the opportunity to expand the museum’s message, and plans to engage Wilmington’s business community about the role Cameron Art Museum plays in business development and quality of life.

“The museum play a significant role in our real estate and business community,” Dean said. “When companies look at a location, they want to know if their workers are going to have access to good cultural opportunities, good schools and good parks . . . the Cameron offers a number of those opportunities to the community, and I want to make sure the business community realizes that the Cameron plays a significant part in our community and defines who we are.”

The Cameron Art Museum was constructed for $12.2 million in 2002 with a fusion of public and private money. The museum presents six to eight exhibitions annually, adult education and healthy living classes, and classes in ceramics at its Clay Studio.