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Board of Directors Votes on New Leadership and Agrees to Plans Addressing Strategic Planning Issues Facing the Corcoran Gallery of Art May 24, 2005–
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President and Director David C. Levy resigns; WASHINGTON, DC (May 24, 2005) – David C. Levy, who has served as President and Director of the Corcoran Gallery of Art for more than 14 years, yesterday announced his resignation from the Corcoran Gallery of Art effective May 30, 2005. The Board of Trustees wishes to thank David for his outstanding contribution to the Corcoran. He served the institution with passion, distinction and dedication. His vision of a true museum-college partnership was one of his great accomplishments which enabled the Corcoran to become a unique arts education institution. As a result of his creative efforts in promoting community outreach, curatorial scholarship and educational opportunities, he leaves the institution poised for continued growth and excellent. Jeanne Ruesch, current Board member, was elected as new Chairman of the Board in a unanimous vote. Til Hazel, the former Chairman was named Vice Chairman. Christina DePaul will remain as dean of the Corcoran College of Art + Design and Jackie Serwer will remain as Chief Curator. A search committee under the leadership of Board member and Strategic Planning Committee Chair, Paul Corddry, will be formed to conduct a search for a new director. In the interim, Jeanne will support senior staff on the day-to-day operations until a new director is named. Ruesch is the former Chief Operating Officer of Ruesch International, a global financial services company providing global payment solutions to businesses worldwide. She and her late husband, Otto Ruesch, served in leadership positions at a number of arts and education organizations, including The Woodstock Center at Georgetown University, The Washington Performing Arts Society, The Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts, Gonzaga College High School and The Washington Jesuit Academy. “I have great faith that Jeanne Ruesch will guide this institution strategically and creatively as we start the next phase of its growth and development,” said Til Hazel, Vice Chairman. She is a recipient of many awards for her philanthropic work, including Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser in 1999 from the DC Chapter of Professional Fundraisers. She was also honored by Support Our Aging Religious (SOAR), a non-profit organization serving the elderly of Catholic religious congregations in the United States, for her extraordinary voluntary efforts earning her the 2001 Elizabeth Ann Seaton and by So Others Might Eat (SOME), a national non-profit organization focused on helping the poor and homeless of Washington, DC, in which she was honored with the 2002 SOME Humanitarian Award. In addition, they were both honored with the Catholic Charities’ “Vision of Hope” award. “My husband had a great belief in the Corcoran and so do I. The future success of this great organization will depend on a vision that is grounded in our mission to focus on scholarship, education and community outreach,” said Chairman Ruesch. “I look forward to guiding the Corcoran as it begins its next phase of growth.” Over the last four months, the Board of Trustees, Overseers and senior staff worked on task forces to address a number of pressing campaign and financial issues facing the institution. The four task forces – college, museum, building and finance – have led the Board and staff to adopt a new strategic approach to the Corcoran’s future. At yesterday’s board meeting, the Board of Trustees agreed to refer the report and recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee to the business planning initiatives slated for the fall. These recommendations were: MISSION: The Corcoran’s mission and identity to be re-examined according to current strategic goals and the niche that the institution fills in the arts community. GEHRY ADDITION: Plans for building the Gehry addition are being suspended pending donors found to support the project at an aggregate level of $100 million. DONORS: We will discuss with donors converting the gifts and pledges allocated for the Gehry addition into funds to renovate the Flagg building and to support endowment. BUDGET: To right the institution financially, significant priority will be placed on balancing the 2006 operating budget. PLANNING: The board needs to develop a vision and business plan to create a sustainable business model. This will include a short term operational plan for this year to focus on fundamentals and an institutional long term business plan. “The Corcoran appreciates David’s many years of service to this great Washington institution,” said Hazel. “His dedication to the Corcoran is admirable and we thank him for his vision as director for 13 years.” During Levy’s tenure, the Corcoran museum and college have changed dramatically. Noteworthy exhibitions over the past years have included the clothes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the photographs of Annie Leibowitz and the illustrations of Norman Rockwell. Additionally, the Corcoran College of Art + Design has built imaginative new programs and increased enrollment in both its full-time and continuing education divisions. The college has also enhanced its degree offerings by introducing a Master of Arts in Interior Design and a Master of Arts in the History of Decorative Arts jointly offered with The Smithsonian Associates. As a graduate of Columbia College at Columbia University where he majored in philosophy and aesthetics, Levy pursued graduate studies in Art History at Columbia, subsequently transferring to New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. He then earned a Ph.D. degree from New York University’s department of Organizational Studies. *Note to Editors:
Founded in 1890, Corcoran College of Art + Design is Washington’s only 4-year college of art and design. The college currently offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program; a two-year Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree program; a Master of Arts (MA) degree programs in Interior Design and the History of Decorative Arts; and a Continuing Education program encompassing more than 250 courses and seven certificate programs for part-time adult students; as well as year-round classes designed especially for children and teens. The Corcoran Gallery of Art is located at New York Avenue and 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC, and is open every day, except Tuesdays, from 10 am – 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursdays. Admission to the Corcoran is: $6.75 for adults; $4.75 for senior citizens; $3 for students with current ID; and $12 for families. Admission is free for Members and children under 12. Admission is “pay as you wish” on Monday all day and on Thursday after 5 pm. For information about the museum, call 202.639.1700, for information about the college, call 202.639.1800.
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