A new school year often means changes at the museum. This summer, alongside welcoming David Odo as our new director, longtime Board of Advisors member Chris Peterson became the new chair of the museum’s Board of Advisors. From encouraging public awareness of the museum to giving and encouraging financial support, the Board of Advisors plays a big part behind-the-scenes at the museum by working to expand public engagement at all levels. The chair not only leads the board in this mission, but also supports the museum and director in decision making and stewardship. As a board member for the last seven years, he has shown his passion for the museum world, and cultivated relationships within it that make him an ideal fit for assuming this leadership role.
Like many of the museum’s interns, staff and volunteers, Peterson started out as a visitor of the museum, but he and his wife Sarah quickly became involved with museum events and he was ultimately invited to join the Friends Board of Directors. (Sarah is currently the past president of the Friends board). He “thoroughly enjoyed” serving on the Friends board and knew that moving to the Board of Advisors would present an even greater opportunity to be involved with the museum. The local connections he made with other members of the Friends board made him eager to get to know those involved with the museum from across the region and country.
The Board of Advisors, which includes members with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of interests, make for an enthusiastic and passionate group of people that advocate for the museum. The experience of serving as a Board of Advisors member was enriching, he noted, especially the opportunity to travel with other board members to visit other museums, view collections in states across the country and learn from other board members through lively discussions and exchanges about their personal experiences and perspectives about art and the art world while serving on the board.
When he was offered the position of chair for the Board of Advisors, he knew it was bound to be another interesting chapter of this adventure, he said, especially because he would be stepping into the role during a transitional time for the museum, with a new director at the helm after the museum bid adieu to longtime director Bill Eiland earlier this year. As chair, Peterson will aim to work with Odo to create new initiatives that encourage member support through financial gifts and expand the permanent collection. He will also oversee board meetings and generate activities to increase public interest and engagement. He looks forward to his time as chair, he said. Board engagement plays an important role in the board’s foremost mission to “expand the reach of the museum to people who either haven’t been or don’t know it’s there.”
The Georgia Museum of Art plays a crucial role in the local, state and national art community, he noted. Over the years, he has witnessed the incredible reach of the museum’s exhibitions and programs across the country and hopes to continue inspiring board members, current supporters and future visitors alike.
Outside of their roles behind-the-scenes at the museum, the Petersons love visiting the exhibitions and participating in museum events with their two children. Most recently, Chris said he was captivated by the newly-opened Jim Fiscus photography exhibition, “Where Shadows Cross.” He encouraged everyone to come by and see the exhibition and explore all of the other interesting things the museum has to offer.
Want to help support the museum? Visit our website to learn more about how to become a member, give to the museum or become a volunteer. There are a variety of ways, big and small, to support the museum’s continued mission to provide free inspiration.
Authored by:
Nicole Ganelin
