QUEENS, NEW YORK.- The Queens Museum of Art (QMA) announced the selection of Tom Finkelpearl as its new Executive Director. The appointment was made at the March 14, 2002, meeting of the QMA Board of Trustees and follows the recommendation of the museumís search and executive committees. Mr. Finkelpearl is currently the Deputy Director of the P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City and assumes his leadership role with QMA as of March 29, 2002. Following the vote, QMA President Robert M. Brennan announced, "Tom brings a wealth of experience to the QMA having worked so extensively in the arts. His vast experience fully prepares him to meet the challenges the position entails and successfully lead the museum into the future."  A veteran of the New York arts scene, Mr. Finkelpearl is also a familiar face within the Queens community, having accrued twelve years of service in various management roles at P.S. 1. Additionally, Mr. Finkelpearl has served as Executive Director of Program for the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, and Director of the Percent for Art Program at the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs. 

Upon his appointment, Mr. Finkelpearl commented, "I am thrilled to be appointed Director of the Queens Museum of Art. My vision for the museum is that it can be simultaneously a local and international art center. Because of the magnificent diversity of the Borough it is necessary to present an international program to engage the local communities. This is a particularly exciting time to be working at the Queens Museum. Eric Owen Moss has created a brilliant scheme for the museumís expansion. With the beautiful new atrium, the building will open to the park and the people who use it in a dynamic and exciting way. This perfectly reflects my goal for the institution."

A Magna Cum Laude graduate from Princeton University, Mr. Finkelpearl holds an M.F.A. from Hunter College, and is the author of Dialogues in Public Art, published by MIT Press in 2000.