The City of Wichita has announced that the executive director of the Mid-America All-Indian Museum will retire at the end of this year.
April Scott has served as executive director since 2010, but she has been with the city’s Division of Arts and Cultural Services for 26 years. Scott first joined the City of Wichita as a teaching artist at CityArts in 1998, leading classes in tapestry weaving. In 2005, she moved with CityArts as head of fiber arts and glass from the purple building on Water Street to its current location on Old Town Square. That year, she also began working part-time at what was then known as the Mid-America All-Indian Center, moving to work there full time in 2007.
Scott is credited with transitioning the Museum from cultural center to a museum primarily focused on the works of iconic Wichita artist Blackbear Bosin. Among her proudest accomplishments, Scott notes the creation of the Bosin Society to support the Museum in honoring the artist’s legacy for the future. Since its establishment, the group has secured 27 original Bosin artworks for the Museum’s permanent collection. Scott is also proud of the Stumblingbear Regalia Cupboard, which provides shawls and ribbon shirts made by community volunteers so that all Native youth may participate in traditions such as Powwows.
Scott’s last day with the Museum will be Saturday, December 21st. The city has opened a nationwide search for a new director, and applications will be accepted through September 28th.
