The Cape Cod Museum of Art has announced the appointment of a new Leadership Team. Benton Jones has been named Director of Arts and Susan Johnson has been named Director of Operations.
The appointments were made after a comprehensive search conducted by the Museum’s Board of Trustee’s Search Committee with the assistance of Gail Nessel Colgazier, a professional search firm.
“We’ve been engaged in a very thorough search process since last September and had many excellent candidates,” said Kathleen Fowler, President of the Board of Trustees. “Benton and Susan were unanimously identified as the most highly qualified and the right combination to guide the museum into a successful future. Their vision, experience and leadership will complement each other in their respective roles.”
Jones has been fulfilling the role of Acting Executive Director of the Museum for the past eight months, in addition to his position as Education Director. He is a highly regarded glass sculptor who operates a gallery – The Millstone Sculpture Gallery – in Brewster. Among his numerous artistic accomplishments, he launched the museum’s Creative Outlets program founded by Sharon Leder. He also developed and instructed a kiln-forming glass course in Prague for North Carolina State University’s Study Abroad program. He received his BFA at Carnegie Mellon University and previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Museum.
Johnson comes to the Museum from Cape Cod Village, Inc., where she served as a Board Member and then became the organization’s first Executive Director. Previously in her career, she served as the Executive Director for Harwich Ecumenical Council for the Homeless and the Executive Officer of Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. She’s also the co-founder of Katelynn’s Closet, a non-profit organization that provides clothing and necessities to impoverished children. Johnson earned her BS at The University of Massachusetts Amherst and went on to study non-profit leadership at both Suffolk University and the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tuft’s University.
“I extend a warm welcome to Susan,” said Jones. “Through our collaborative team leadership, I feel the CCMoA will dually benefit, providing the creative freedom necessary to be innovative with our exhibitions, broaden our educational offerings and sustain our community focused programs, while ensuring continued growth and forward-looking development that our, and every museum, needs.”
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with artists and the creative community, as well as the dedicated staff and volunteers to help bring the CCMoA to its full potential,” said Johnson. “I am encouraged by the support of the Board of Trustees, as together we are committed to establishing deeper audience engagement, ensuring financial sustainability and preserving the distinctive artistic identity of the Cape.”
The new leadership team for the museum will become effective in May. “The CCMoA community is looking forward to working with and supporting Benton and Susan as they forge an expanded role for the museum’s future,” said Fowler.
About Cape Cod Museum of Art
Founded by artists in 1981, CCMoA is the Home of Cape Cod Art. The Museum preserves 2000 works of the Cape’s finest artists and celebrates the distinctive artistic identity of the Cape & Islands region. CCMoA is a major hub of cultural creativity. It educates, inspires and excites the imagination through its outstanding art collection and diverse programming while connecting its many communities. Located at the Cape Cod Center for the Arts, the Museum is situated in a beautiful setting surrounded by a Sculpture Garden. CCMoA has seven galleries, the Weny Education Center; the Harry Holl Sculpture and Clay Studio; an auditorium, and a Museum Shop. It is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod.
CCMoA is located at 60 Hope Lane, just off Route 6A, on the campus with Cape Cinema and the Cape Cod Playhouse in Dennis, MA. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday. The Galleries are open for ARTfull Thursdays from 5 – 8 pm with no admission fee. General Admission is $10, $8 for seniors; $7 students with ID, $7 for youth 13 to 18, and free for children 12 & under. For more information, see www.ccmoa.org or call (508) 385-4477. Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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