Kardinal leaves Museum suddenly

Royce Kardinal

Royce Kardinal is no longer the executive director of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

Jeri Robson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum announced on Friday (Oct. 31) that the Board, with regret, has accepted the exit plan of Royce Kardinal as executive director, effective immediately.

In Robson’s announcement she praised the successes gained by the Museum during Kardinal’s tenure. “Royce and the staff she developed are directly responsible for achieving a high level of not only regional, but national recognition for the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.”

“As of today I have completed my retirement process from the Museum,” stated Kardinal in an email she sent to friends and associates, “and am looking forward to reacquainting myself with some of the pleasures I haven’t had time for these past five-plus years - family, grandchildren, friends, gardening, traveling, volunteering and yes, may even refresh my cooking skills!”

Being honored by the National Cowboy Symposium as Western Museum of the Year for 2007/08 brought national attention to Wickenburg and put the local museum in the ranks of previous winners including Wyoming’s Buffalo Bill, the Autry in Los Angeles, and the National Cowboy in Oklahoma City. Seldom does a museum the size of Wickenburg’s find itself in such a distinctive standing. That alone is a huge factor that reflects on the visitor attendance, which has grown to an annual count of more than 50,000. This translates into economic development for Wickenburg as local businesses derive the benefit of selling goods, services and meals to Museum visitors.

During Kardinal’s management, the Museum underwent the two-year process and won subsequent accreditation from the American Association of Museums. This designation is given only to institutions that strictly adhere to best institutional practices. Only 750 museums in the country are accredited, with a mere 13 in Arizona.

Under Kardinal’s direction, several new revenue streams were developed such as the Museum’s Ranch Dressing Store, the Just For Kicks Resale Shop and the soon to be rolled out Caballeros Farmer’s Market. These projects help fund the general operating budget of the Museum.

The most innovative project developed by Kardinal and her staff was the debut of Cowgirl Up! Art From the Other Half of the West Exhibition and Sale in 2006. Financially successful and providing revenue to the Museum, this project sought also to enhance the status of women Western artists and received statewide acclaim its inaugural year as the best new event in rural Arizona from the Arizona Office of Tourism. Cowgirl Up! ’09 is in the planning stages and scheduled for late March and will once again spotlight nationally the great reputation of the local museum and bring in a large crowd of visitors during its exhibition.

Kardinal also put strong emphasis on educational programming and managed the development of exceptional projects like Caballeros Art Ranch, Culture Path: From Barefoot to Boots, Those Who Walked Our Land, Kid’s Corral and partnered with the Young Rembrandts to provide free or low fee art classes to children in the public and private schools of the area.

Kardinal came to the Museum as interim director in mid 2003 and three months later was appointed as executive director. She had previously spent more than 15 years as a Museum trustee and served as a former chairman of the board, as well as founder and charter president of the Museum’s Auxiliary, Las Senoras. After spending nearly 45 years in the hospitality industry, Kardinal considered her late-in-life career change to be one of the highlights of her life.

Robson concluded her announcement with a tribute to Kardinal’s efforts, stating, “The passion, creativity and organizational skills of Royce have contributed greatly to the progress of the Museum. For this we are greatly appreciative.”

When queried about her future plans, Kardinal indicated she would take a short breather, do some project consulting work for the Museum, spend more time with her grandchildren and perhaps eventually involve herself with other museums by exercising her designation, recently received, from the American Association of Museums as a certified peer reviewer.

“I know, you are probably wondering how a workaholic could give up those 80 to 90 hour work-weeks,” Kardinal continued in her email, “so I have agreed to do some consulting for the Museum and work on a couple of special projects, which will make my transition easier and help me gradually wean myself away from a job that I have thoroughly enjoyed.”

Kardinal and Robson were quick to make the community aware that the exit plan for retirement was amicable, and had been escalated by Kardinal’s husband’s recent health issues. Kardinal noted that for passion for the Museum is a life-long commitment and encourages the community to treasure and support the Desert Caballeros Western Museum as one of its most precious assets.

Robson also announced that Mary Ann Igna will serve as interim director. Igna came to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum from the Aspen and Denver art museums with an extensive background in museum administration. She has served in the capacity of Curator of Exhibitions and Education for the last four and a half years.

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