Getting to Know John McKinnon, director of the Haggerty Museum of Art

Getting to Know John McKinnon, director of the Haggerty Museum of Art

John McKinnon was named director of the Haggerty Museum of Art in May and began in his new role in July. This fall, the former executive director of the Elmhurst Art Museum took a few minutes to talk with Marquette Today about his previous experience in the Milwaukee art scene, lessons learned from Pixar and his trip through the Pacific Northwest in a 1985 VW Vanagan.

Hometown:

I grew up in Trevor, Wisconsin.

Tell us about your family:

My wife Nicki and I have been together for almost 25 years. We have a daughter Avery (12) and son Max (9).

What are your favorite hobbies and interests?

I've been enjoying sunrises during my morning runs, gardening, exploring Milwaukee with my family, going to museums and galleries, and socializing with friends.

What are your favorite movies?

I've always been a fan of stylish and imaginative sci-fi films like "Blade Runner" and "Gattaca." My family recently rewatched all of the Harry Potter movies just before Halloween.

A drawing of McKinnon done by artist and animator Dave Pryor.

Who are/is your hero(es)?

About 15 years ago, I worked closely with Chief Curator Joe Ketner at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This was my first museum job, so he took me under his wing and I looked up to him. I've thought about him many times since coming back to Milwaukee, especially after we hosted a color and light installation at the museum that I know he would have appreciated.

Any favorite quotes/mottos?

A friend of mine used to say, "Don't let the enormity of it wear you out. Break it down into bite-sized chunks." Remembering this has often been helpful for me, especially before planning a large long-term challenge whether a home improvement project or new initiative at work.

What are you currently reading?

I'm currently reading "Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration," which goes behind-the-scenes at the creative processes and business of Pixar. It's a fascinating look at the struggles and triumphs that went into making some of the best animation for the last several decades. I can relate to a lot in the book, from dreams around making Disney movies as a kid to the importance of good storytelling to developing a new creative idea with a team.

Any favorite vacation spots?

One of my family's recent favorite vacations was a scenic road trip up the Oregon coast in a 1985 VW Vanagan. We drove the vintage, no-frills vehicle from Seattle to Portland and then stopped at campsites up the coastline on our way back up. We slept in the van, took in views of ocean, went sand surfing, ate oysters, went hiking in state parks, and explored sites such as town where "The Goonies" was filmed.

What was your biggest career learning experience?

I believe managing the Elmhurst Art Museum through COVID and its impacts was the largest challenge and learning experience of my career. It might sound strange, but it pulled our staff out of our routines into a zone where we had to reexamine everything. During that time, I feel I developed more communication skills, the ability to strategize then quickly pivot, and was truly forced to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Any fun facts people should know about you?

It seems very unlikely, but when I was an electrical engineering major, I had a summer job doing product safety testing. Among other things I tested the effects of fire on plastics and batteries. For some people this would have reinforced how fun engineering could be, but it didn't stick for me. I then explored other career options and ended up with a Bachelor of Science in Art.

What most excites you about being at Marquette?

I'm fascinated how the Haggerty Museum of Art is one of very few academic art museums that is not attached to an art or art history degree program. Because of this, it is in the museum's DNA to work across the campus and larger Milwaukee community in relevant, diverse, accessible and unconventional ways. For instance, approximately half of the museum's annual visitors are students from wide-ranging classes from nursing to theology. It's another strength that the museum draws in experts from their respective fields to speak on topical issues such as climate change. The potential of this is so fascinating!

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