St. Louis, MO -- The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthias Waschek as its new Director. Waschek comes to St. Louis after eleven years as head of Academic Programs (Art History and Archaeology) at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. He brings to the Foundation more than twenty years of gallery, museum, and teaching experience. "I am delighted that Matthias Waschek has agreed to become the Director of the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts," states PFA Founder and President Emily Rauh Pulitzer. "He brings extensive experience in planning collaborative programs, wide international contacts, and broad knowledge in the history of art and architecture."

Waschek received his Masters degree in Art History, Classical Archaeology, and Modern and Contemporary History as well as his doctoral degree in Art History from the University of Bonn, Germany. His thesis focused on French fin-de-siècle art theory. From 1981-1985 he served as an assistant at the Wolfgang Wittrock Gallery in Dusseldorf, where he worked in archival organization and library development. He spent four years as co-director of international colloquia of art history before joining the Louvre in 1992. As head of Academic Programs he conceived and organized conferences and colloquia on art historical and archeological themes as well as overseeing subsequent publications.

Waschek has published and lectured extensively. His research has focused on nineteenth century French artists, including Emile Bernard, Georges Seurat, and Camille Pissaro; on the intersection of the music and art worlds at the end of the nineteenth century; and on the place of the public in art history. He has also taught at Parson's School of Design (Paris), the University of La Rochelle, and the École du Louvre. Declaring himself "most privileged to be working in such a wonderful architectural space," Waschek states that he is "very excited about the possibility of participating in the development of the Foundation's potential. It is striking to see how much this place combines features of different cultural institutions, without being bound to traditional limits."

The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of art and architecture. Through works of art, programs, library facility and collaborations with other cultural and educational institutions, the Foundation serves artists, architects, scholars, students and the general public. Integral to the Foundation's mission is the experience of its building, which provides a tranquil place for contemplation, enjoyment and study.

aschek begins as Director of the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts on September 15, 2003. For further information about the Foundation, visit www.pulitzerarts.org, or call (314) 754-1850.