BELLEVUE, WA.- The Board of Trustees of Bellevue Arts Museum announced today the appointment of Mark Crawford as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Crawford brings over 25 years of experience in successfully leading and managing growth in both for-profit and non-profit organizations, and has served as the Museum’s Interim Executive Director since October 2008.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mark as the Executive Director/CEO for Bellevue Arts Museum,” Susan Edelheit, President of the Board of Trustees, states. “His energy, his passion for the Museum, his creative skills, and, of course, his in-depth experience in managing growing non-profit organizations make him the ideal person for this position at this time.” Michael Monroe, Director of Curatorial Affairs, adds that “Mark’s strategic skills and leadership experience as well as his excitement for the Museum will be instrumental in securing BAM’s continued growth and stability. I look forward to continuing our collaboration.”

Crawford has spent the majority of his non-profit career working in the arts. He served as Managing Director at Portland Center Stage (Portland, OR) and Associate Managing Director at A Contemporary Theatre (Seattle, WA) between 1993 and 2002. He also served as Executive Director at the Committee for Children (Seattle, WA) between 2003 and 2007. Before joining BAM, he was Interim Chief Executive Officer at the Seattle-based Talaris Institute.

As Executive Director/CEO of Bellevue Arts Museum, Crawford will be working closely with the BAM board and staff to create new opportunities to strengthen the Museum’s vision of “illuminating and enriching the human spirit through art, craft and design.” He will be responsible for all executive functions of the Museum and will be overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations, fund development and publicity efforts as well as finances. Crawford will continue his collaboration with the curatorial team led by Michael Monroe and Curator Stefano Catalani. “Working with such respected curators as Michael and Stefano and the outstanding curatorial team they have developed is a tremendous opportunity and I couldn’t be more excited,” states Crawford.

“I’m honored to continue my work at BAM,” Crawford continues. “After almost four years in operation under a new mission of art, craft and design, the Museum has become a treasured arts center on the Eastside and has garnered well deserved attention nationally for its engaging and thought-provoking exhibitions and educational programs. The quality and range of programmatic fare and the commitment, passion and expertise of the staff and board have created a foundation for an extraordinary future, and I’m pleased to be part of the team ensuring the Museum’s ongoing vitality and support.”