CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Museum of Art has appointed of John Easley as chief advancement officer, a position tasked with fundraising for the institution.
His hiring follows the Tuesday announcement that Heather Saunders has been appointed director of the Ingalls Library, the third-largest art research library in the United States.
Easley, who will assume his duties in April, is part of a broader outreach to lure new audiences. The plan follows a multiyear expansion of the museum and an emphasis on eclectic programming.
“With the recent completion of the museum’s $320-million Transformation campaign and as we develop opportunities to engage new audiences throughout Northeast Ohio, John is ideally suited to lead our fundraising efforts as we energetically seek to fulfill the immense promise of our second century,” said director William Griswold. “I am excited about working with him in his new role.”
Easley, who currently serves as vice president and chief philanthropy officer for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, will lead efforts to fund and support the museum’s cultural and educational mission.
“I have long admired Cleveland for the greatness of its cultural institutions and the philanthropic and community spirit that has built and sustained them for generations. I could not be more honored or delighted to be joining Director Bill Griswold and the wonderful CMA team as the museum begins its second century of service,” Easley said in a statement. “My wife Mary and I look forward to being part of the Cleveland community and to discovering all that life in Northeast Ohio offers.”
Easley isn’t new to the museum world – or fundraising. He was president of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation in Santa Fe. He has also designed and led major capital and endowment campaigns supporting art museum expansions and advancement, including assignments as vice president of development and external affairs for the St. Louis Art Museum; director of external affairs for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri; and director of development and external affairs for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
