FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
James Leventhal appointed Deputy Director for Development
at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
San Francisco, CA, February 26, 2010-- The Contemporary Jewish Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of James Leventhal as the Deputy Director for Development as of February 22, 2010. Mr. Leventhal brings 24 years of experience of working in the arts with his major appointments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and most recently at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, where he was the Director of Development and Marketing for the last seven years.
“It’s truly extraordinary that the community has come together and built a model for museums in the 21st century, unencumbered by collections, but securing the future of collective knowledge and experience. What the Contemporary Jewish Museum has already achieved since the opening of its new facility in June 2008 — an extraordinary presentation of innovative and thought-provoking exhibition and programs— is truly amazing and I am thrilled to be part of the team. In my new role as the Deputy Director for Development at the CJM, I plan to ensure that we have the support needed to continue engaging diverse audiences with meaningful presentations of Jewish art and culture while serving as a cultural hub for the entire greater Bay Area and beyond.”
About James
James Leventhal spent the last seven years as Director of Development and Marketing for the Judah L. Magnes Museum (Berkeley, CA) where he helped the Board to raise $12 million in support of the Campaign for the Magnes and helped to formulate the gifting of the Magnes collection to the University of California, Berkeley. He also helped to create exhibitions that traveled internationally and helped to raise the profile of the Magnes nationally.
During his time at the Magnes, James served on grant making panels for the San Francisco Arts Commission and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Museum Loan Network. He has also presented nationally on the use of technology for audience development and engagement in museums. As a member of the Western Museums Associations Board and Programs Committee, James helped WMA launch a digital presence through Facebook, LinkedIn and its blog westmuse.wordpress.com. Locally James serves also on the Board of Tehiyah Day School (El Cerrito, CA) and is a member of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, where he helps to run the Shabbat Mishpacha program.
Prior to joining the team at the Magnes, James worked as a fundraising consultant for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to help the Museums wrap up the Campaign for the New de Young. James also worked for eight years at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He completed his undergraduate studies in Art History, Anthropology and Studio Art at NYU and has done Master's work in Art History and Museology at the City College of New York before receiving his M.B.A. from John F.Kennedy University, with a specialization in Museum Studies. James has also worked as an educator at the Baltimore Museum of Art and at The Phillips Collection.
About the Contemporary Jewish Museum
With the opening of its new building on June 8, 2008, the Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) ushered in a new chapter in its twenty-plus year history of engaging audiences and artists in exploring contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. The new facility, designed by internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, is a lively center where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather to experience art, share diverse perspectives, and engage in hands-on activities. Inspired by the Hebrew phrase “L’Chaim” (To Life), the building is a physical embodiment of the CJM’s mission to bring together tradition and innovation in an exploration of the Jewish experience in the 21st century.
Major support for the Contemporary Jewish Museum comes from the Koret and Taube Foundations; Jim Joseph Foundation; The Wallace Foundation; Bernard Osher Jewish Philanthropies Fund; Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Alexander M. and June L. Maisin Foundation; Terra Foundation for American Art; Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund; Bank of America; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; The Skirball Foundation; Target; and Wells Fargo Foundation. The Museum is supported by the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.
For more information, head shots, or to set up an interview please contact:
Jen Morris
Director of Marketing & Communications
jmorris@thecjm.org | 415.655.7834
