NEW YORK, N.Y.- Robert M. Baylis, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Rubin Museum announced that the Museum has received a $25 million gift from Shelley and Donald Rubin, the Museum’s founders. The gift will be dedicated to helping fund operations, exhibitions and programs over the next five years as the Rubin continues its initiatives to diversify its leadership and broaden its funding base. In support of these goals, Mr. Baylis concurrently announced that Patrick Sears has been named Deputy Director of the Museum and Cynthia Guyer has been appointed to the newly created position of Head of External Affairs.

“During the past thirteen years Shelley and Donald have invested enormous amounts of their time, expertise and resources in building an institution that plays a unique role in New York and the nation,” stated Mr. Baylis. “They have been tireless advocates for the arts and culture of the Himalayas and in bringing them to life for the people who live and work in New York and visitors to our city. I’d like to thank Donald and Shelley for their gifts on behalf of all who have benefited from their incredible vision and generosity, and those who will benefit from it in the decades to come.”

As part of the transition in leadership, Mr. Rubin is stepping down as CEO of the Rubin Museum with many of his duties to be assumed by Mr. Sears, who joined the museum in 2003 and has most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the Museum. Ms. Guyer joins the executive team at the Rubin and will strengthen the Museum’s development, marketing and communications programs. Ms. and Mr. Rubin will retain their positions as Co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees.

“Shelley and I feel that it’s been a privilege to share our passion for Himalayan art and culture in such exciting and meaningful ways. The museum stands as a bridge between the cultures of the region and other cultures worldwide, fostering the connections that are so important to building the global community” stated Mr. Rubin. “Now that the museum has established a solid foundation and set on course it’s time for us to welcome new leadership to help bring it into the future.”

The only museum in the U.S. dedicated to arts of the Himalayan and India, the Rubin holds one of the world’s most important collections of the paintings and sculptures of Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, and Bhutan. Mr. and Ms. Rubin first conceived of the Rubin Museum in 1998 and it opened its 70,000-square-foot home on 7th Avenue at 17th Street in 2004. The Rubin Museum recently opened a 5,000-square foot education center to better meet a growing demand for its programs.