Virginia Soenksen

Virginia Soenksen is an experienced art professional currently serving as the Director of the Madison Art Collection and Lisanby Museum at James Madison University since December 2017, following a role as Associate Director. Prior experience includes positions at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, where Virginia advanced from Assistant Curator to Curator of Interpretation, and a Docent Coordinator role at the University of Virginia, overseeing tour guides and docent training. Virginia's background also encompasses collections research on Japanese textiles for Thomas Murray - Asiatica, curatorial work at the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture, and an internship at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Virginia holds a PhD in Strategic Leadership Studies from James Madison University and a Master's in Art History from Tufts University, complemented by a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Mary Washington.