Katonah Museum to Launch National Search for Director

The board of trustees for the Katonah Museum of Art this week is expected at its annual organizational retreat to set a timeline for hiring a permanent leader for the museum.

That timeline will include a national, professional search for a permanent executive director for the over-50-year-old museum, said Rochelle Rosenburg, president of the board of trustess for the past three years.

"After our full-day retreat on Apri 6, we expect to have a timeline and search firm named," she said, noting the retreat was an annual event that the KMA and many other non-profits go through to focus on plans for the year ahead.

The museum's former executive director, Neal Watson, stepped down from his role of 7 years in Nov. 2012. Belinda Roth, a Katonah resident with a background in business and the arts, has been serving as interim executive director since December.

Rosenburg said the transition in leadership was an opportunity for growth.

"All institutions go through changes. Just recently, Caramoor, the the Aldrich—they've all seen new leaders come to them. In the meantime, to have someone like Belinda as our interim director is significant—we couldn't be more pleased and she has the board's unanimous support," said Rosenburg.

The museum is enjoying record-breaking attendance at its "Beyond the Bed: The American Quilt Revolution" exhibit which runs through June, she added.

"To have 150 poeple come to the museum on a weekday—that's incredible for us," said Rosenburg. "Though our mission focuses on all visual arts, it's been a while since we focused on the decorative arts and textiles in particular. We are very happy with the response."

Click here to read a copy of the museum's spring newsletter, which includes information on upcoming programs associated with the quilt exhibit.

The museum's annual gala event is slated for later this month on April 27 and will honor Leslie Needham and Tricia Swift. For tickets and more information, call 914-232-9555 ext. 2968.