John Vanausdall, former Eiteljorg Museum CEO, dies at age 68

John Vanausdall, one of Indianapolis' longest-serving arts leaders, died Saturday, a little more than a year after his retirement as president and CEO of the Eiteljorg Museum. He was 68.

In 1996, Vanausdall became the then seven-year-old museum's fourth director. He was tasked with growing the Native and Western art collection of namesake Harrison Eiteljorg and spreading its story more widely — a job Vanausdall undertook over the next 27 years.

"It seems like every time I finished a major project or capital campaign or a phase in the life of the museum, something happened that created a very exciting future for the museum, and it just made sense for me to stay," Vanausdall told IndyStar in 2023 .

And the projects were numerous. During his tenure, Vanausdall saw the museum collection grow from about 4,400 to more than 10,000 artworks. He formed relationships with donors, fundraising and building the Eiteljorg's endowment. In 2022, the Eiteljorg opened the reconstructed Native American Galleries — one of the final parts of a $55 million campaign that reimagined the Western art galleries and expanded the Allen Whitehill Clowes Sculpture Court, among other initiatives.

Vanausdall also oversaw the growth of cultural events and initiatives, such as the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship, Indian Market and Festival, and Quest for the West Art Show and Sale, according to a news release from the museum .

"I think we've taken great pleasure and made a real commitment to talk about the American West as the multicultural experience that it really was — the real West, not the mythic West," he told IndyStar in 2023 . "Placing Indiana and Native American history and presenting the West as a multicultural story has been what's driven us for my tenure here."

Before he was hired at the Eiteljorg, Vanausdall, who grew up in Lebanon, spent 18 years in the creative and management areas of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. He attended Indiana University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education in 1978 before earning an MBA there in 1996.

In his off time, Vanausdall enjoyed performing on his guitar, photography, tennis, hiking and what he described as "creative cooking," according to the release.

"His kindness and consideration towards others will long be remembered, and his strategic thinking that positioned the museum for the future will leave a lasting legacy," current Eiteljorg President and CEO Kathryn Haigh stated in the release. "I feel fortunate to have known him, and I know all of us at the Eiteljorg will try to carry on his good work."

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Vanausdall is survived by his daughters Emily and Hannah; four grandchildren; his partner, Carrie; and Carrie’s two sons. Arrangements are pending at Leppert Mortuaries in Nora. Those who would like to may make memorial contributions to the Eiteljorg's John Vanausdall Capital Improvement Endowed Fund .

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: John Vanausdall, former Eiteljorg Museum CEO, dies at age 68