The Tampa Museum of Art announced today that its board has engaged global leadership advisory and executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates to lead the international search for the Museum’s next Executive Director. The search comes as Dr. Michael Tomor prepares to retire at the end of March after over a decade serving as the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director for a decade, a period marked by major institutional growth and the launch of the Museum’s Centennial Campaign for Renovation and Expansion.
The search will be led by Russell Reynolds’ arts and culture practice leaders Katherine Armstrong and Olivia Stam. The Museum welcomes applications from a wide array of candidates. Nominations, applications, or any other inquiries should be sent to TMAExecutiveDirector@russellreynolds.com.
“We are grateful for Michael’s extraordinary leadership and the vision he cast for the Tampa Museum of Art during a transformative period in its history,” said Ron Christaldi, Chair of the Tampa Museum of Art Board of Trustees and who is chairing the executive search committee. “Our committee is conducting a thorough global search for a successor who can build on this strong foundation, inspire our community, and continue elevating Tampa’s cultural landscape. This partnership with Russell Reynolds will aid us in identifying a dynamic leader who can guide the Museum through its next century of growth and impact.”
Tomor’s retirement, announced in December, comes after a 40-year career working at and leading art museums, including just over a decade at the helm of the Tampa Museum of Art. During his tenure in Tampa, Tomor has boldly led the Tampa Museum of Art into the future by acquiring 1,500 new objects for the museum’s permanent collection, dramatically increasing student and community outreach programs, including the introduction of the art and mental health program Connections. A major highlight of his tenure was the completion of a massive renovation that added over 17,500 square feet of exhibition space in two new promenades and 8 new galleries, plus the opening of the new 8,000-square-foot Vinik Family Education Center, which introduced three new classrooms with the capacity to offer ceramics, multi-media, and digital art classes for children, teens and adults.
During the last five years, Tomor has led the Museum through an ongoing $100 million capital campaign to renovate and expand the museum. The renovation is complete and has already transformed the museum experience. The expansion and fundraising efforts remain fully underway and unchanged, creating an iconic riverfront museum designed by New York-based architects Weiss/Manfredi.
“Michael has been the right leader at the right time for the Tampa Museum of Art,” said Cornelia Corbett, Director Emerita and co-chair of the Centennial Capital Campaign. “Thanks to his leadership, our museum is well-positioned as a striking community asset for future generations.”
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