TOLEDO – John Stanley, the Toledo Museum of Art’s director of special projects, would serve as interim
director of the museum while an international search is conducted. The appointment is effective July 1,
2019.
“The board has full confidence in the museum’s executive leadership team and its highly capable staff to
continue providing high quality art experiences to visitors during this transition,” said Board Chair
Cynthia Thompson.
Stanley began his career at TMA in 1979 and served as the chief operating officer and deputy/assistant
director at TMA from 1987 to 1995 before joining the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he served as the
chief operating officer and deputy director for programs and services. Most recently Stanley served as
the COO for the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. He currently oversees TMA’s campus
Master Plan from design through construction, including project planning, budget development, community
engagement and funding strategies.
A graduate of the University of Toledo, Stanley earned his MBA from Bowling Green State University and
attended the Museum Management Institute at the University of California at Berkeley.
“Toledo is fortunate to have John as a member of the museum staff,” Thompson said. “His extensive museum
experience and his previous time at TMA will serve the museum, its staff and its visitors as the search
committee of the board conducts its pursuit of the next Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey
director.”
It was announced on March 7 that Brian Kennedy, Ph.D., the Museum’s Edward Drummond and Florence Scott
Libbey director, president and CEO had accepted the Rose-Marie and Ejik van Otterloo executive director
and CEO position at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Kennedy’s last day at TMA will be
June 30.
The hiring process is expected to take months and is being led by a search committee with input from
staff, volunteers, donors, community stakeholders and other Museum stakeholders.