Michael Monroe, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Bellevue Arts Museum, will move into a new role as Director, Curatorial Affairs as the museum’s board launches a search for an interim director to oversee the financial and other administrative aspects of the organization.

Plans are for the museum to hire a permanent director in the next eight to 12 months.

Monroe will continue to serve dual roles until an interim executive director is in place, at which time he will reduce his hours and shift his focus exclusively to curatorial matters.

Monroe has more than 35 years of expertise and has served as the museum’s Executive Director and Chief Curator since 2004. When hired, Monroe committed to serving dual roles for three but no longer than five years.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved in the past four years,” Monroe said. “The community has given us the support we need to ensure the organization’s long-term success. I am pleased we are now in a position to bring on new administrative leadership and look forward to continuing my curatorial role.”

“Michael Monroe has been an exceptional leader for the museum,” Susan Edelheit, President of the Board of Trustees, said. “We are in a great position to make this transition and we are thrilled to be able to search for an executive director while Michael continues to do his outstanding work directing the curatorial department of the museum.”

Under the leadership of Monroe, the museum has experienced steady growth since opening with a revitalized mission on arts, craft and design in 2005. The museum has presented 37 exhibitions by international and local artists as well as more than 275 low-cost or free educational programs attracting over 200,000 visitors.

The 62 year-old Bellevue Arts Museum ArtsFair, a three-day arts festival held in July, draws more than 350,000 people every year. The museum also has recently received a award of $2 million from the city of Bellevue, as well as more than $480,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in addition to other large grants from local corporations and foundations.

This year’s Patron Party, the museum’s annual fundraising event, netted more than $400,000 – the highest amount raised to date.

The board is interviewing candidates for the interim executive director position and expects the position to be filled by Oct. 1. A permanent Executive Director is expected to be in place in 2009.