Bio for B. JANE BURNS
Director, Midwest Museum of American Art
Born Holdenville, Oklahoma
1940
EDUCATION:
B.A. Marketing & Management 1989
Goshen College
School of Business
OCCUPATION(s):
Director/Collector/Lecturer
Jane Burns is one of the principal founders of the Midwest Museum of American Art
Foundation (1978-present). In 1981, Ms. Burns stepped into the position of Director to
facilitate all administrative and contractual arrangements of day-to-day operations as well
as oversee all fiduciary responsibilities of the Midwest Museum of American Art. Jane
Burns has served as MMAA Director for over 33 years. During this time she has guided
the museum through gallery expansions and major building renovations resulting most
recently with the addition of a three-story elevator, 1,500 square feet of vintage marble
floor restoration, and the replacement of five custom designed second-story window
units. Ms. Burns manages a staff of three and a volunteer base of over 40.
During her tenure, Ms. Burns has been a guest lecturer for various civic organizations as
well as institutional colleagues. She has been the juror for several regional competitions
including one recently at ArtLink, Inc. (art space) in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Outside of her
duties as administrator for MMAA, Ms. Burns is active in the League of Women Voters
and has Chaired the Events Committee for the Four Arts Club in Elkhart. While she has
been asked to sit on many state-wide boards and advocacy groups, she has opted to focus
her attention on the Midwest Museum of American Art and insure its continuity for
future generations. Ms. Burns has and continues to build its reputation as Indiana’s
premier museum devoted to American Art and its national reputation among a select
group of those types of institutions.