Harlem Man Joins Museum Of The City Of New York As VP

HARLEM, NY — The Museum of the City of New York has hired a Harlem resident to lead its educational and public programming, leaders announced this week.

James C. Horton will hold a new role as Vice President of Education and Engagement, where he will also be charged with supervising MCNY's FAO Schwarz Education Center, serving about 50,000 students each year, according to the museum.

He previously worked as the director of social impact programs at Carnegie Hall, and held other leadership roles at the National Guild for Community Arts Education and Harlem Children’s Zone.

"The Museum of the City of New York tells the stories of our city’s past, present, and future, and provides a canvas for supporters, students and educators to dive deeper into the world around them," Horton said in a statement.

"As our city undergoes vast transformation, I’m excited to create educational experiences that catalyze change and encourage introspection."

He is scheduled to start work on Feb. 1.

The museum, on Fifth Avenue between East 103rd and 104th streets, closed temporarily earlier this month due to a "plumbing malfunction." It is scheduled to reopen in mid-February.

"James is a dynamic, experienced leader who has had great success and shown tremendous passion for building and growing transformative programs and community relationships," museum president and director Whitney W. Donhauser said in a statement.

MCNY reopened in late August after the pandemic shut down all of the city's museums for five months.