ArtsWestchester Announces Appointment of New Senior Deputy Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Diana Costello
Thompson & Bender
914-762-1900
diana@thompson-bender.com

ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam Announces Appointment of
George G. King to Post of Senior Deputy Director

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (November 13, 2018) – ArtsWestchester announced today the appointment of George G. King as Senior Deputy Director of the not-for-profit organization which partners with Westchester County government on cultural grant management. In his capacity, King will assist CEO, Janet Langsam, in developing and guiding the County-wide arts organization with strategic planning, development, external affairs and government relations.

King comes to the position with over 20 years of not-for-profit museum experience. He served as the first Executive Director of both the Katonah Museum of Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, NM. Most recently, he directed the American Federation of Arts in New York.

Janet Langsam states, “Today the arts are thriving in Westchester largely because ArtsWestchester in partnership with Westchester County government has put arts and culture on the public agenda and has invested more than $40 million in the cultural sector. With the addition of George King to ArtsWestchester’s senior management, we are well poised to continue growing arts audiences in the County and strengthening the cultural infrastructure of Westchester for the future.”

George King states, “I’m excited to return to Westchester where I previously was engaged for 10 years and during which time I worked with CEO Janet Langsam as an affiliate board member. ArtsWestchester has grown significantly since I left Westchester in 1998. In addition to funding the arts in every corner of the County, ArtsWestchester is playing a meaningful role in the public art arena. I am looking forward to bringing my expertise in arts management to ArtsWestchester in order to further advance its critical mission to keep the arts accessible.”

During King’s tenure at the Katonah Museum of Art, he managed a $5.3 million capital campaign, an endowment and grew the museum’s operating budget from $250K to $1M in an eight year period. As Director of the American Federation of Arts, King oversaw all curatorial and institutional operations of the nation’s leading non-collecting arts organization that originates exhibitions nationally and internationally. And, as Director of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe which welcomed over 250,000 annual visitors, King managed an institutional budget of $7.2M, and grew the permanent collection from 94 objects to just under 3,000. While there, the organization exhibited the work of over 155 other artists, in addition to O’Keeffe, and oversaw the launching of the nation’s only research center devoted to American Modernism. He was instrumental in developing and maintaining close partnerships with local communities including those with the native population.

About ArtsWestchester

For over 50 years ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965 it is the largest private not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership vision and support to ensure the availability accessibility and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998 ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building on Mamaroneck Avenue.

About ArtsWestchester

For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building on Mamaroneck Avenue.