NEW YORK, NY.- The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Board of Trustees announced that Guggenheim trustee, clinical psychologist, artist, and philanthropist Wendy Fisher has been elected to succeed Jennifer Blei Stockman, who has decided to step down as president of the board after 12 years.
“It has been my great pleasure to serve the Guggenheim as President of the Board,” said Jennifer Stockman. “During that time, I am particularly gratified to have supported the development of a groundbreaking and critically acclaimed exhibition program in New York and abroad, strengthened the financial foundations of the institution, and continued the museum’s tradition of inspired leadership with the appointment of Richard Armstrong as director. As I pass the baton, I look forward to working closely with my friend and colleague Wendy Fisher and am confident that she will bring wisdom, empathy, and dynamism to her new role.”
“It has long been my belief that art is a powerful tool for social cohesion: it brings people together, affords space for discussion and dialogue, excites the imagination, and facilitates exchange across socio-economic and cultural divides,” said Wendy Fisher. “My association with the Guggenheim, and now assuming this leadership role, is based on a deep alignment of these values.”
“Wendy Fisher and Jennifer Stockman represent the spirit of adventure, willingness to champion conceptual risk-taking, and advocacy of art and artists for which the Guggenheim is known,” said William L. Mack, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. “As the Guggenheim Foundation celebrates its 80th anniversary and reflects upon its founding principles with the Visionaries exhibition currently on view, we can similarly attribute many of our recent accomplishments in international programming, collaborations, and the advancement of our mission to Jennifer’s forward-thinking leadership and to her significant and lasting contributions to the Guggenheim. Wendy is a true Renaissance woman whose dedication to the Guggenheim and expansive perspective on art and education will be invaluable as the Foundation continues to develop rigorous and pioneering presentations in New York and raise its profile with increased attendance, collection building, and public activities throughout the international constellation of Guggenheim museums.”
“At this important moment of transition for our institution, we are fortunate to have the wisdom, generosity, and passion of both Wendy and Jennifer as we continue to advance the Guggenheim’s distinctive program and mission,” said Richard Armstrong, Director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation. “I personally look forward to working with both of them in their new roles.”
Ms. Fisher has been a Guggenheim trustee since 2013, serving on the Art and Museum Committee. A noted philanthropist who is engaged with cultural institutions around the world, she divides her time between commitments in New York, London, Swaziland, Israel, and South Africa, where she was born. In addition to her work with the Guggenheim, Ms. Fisher is the founder of the A4 Arts Foundation; the CEO of the Kirsh Charitable Foundation; and was for 10 years a facilitator and a resource for the Young Presidents’ Organization. She is currently President of the British Chair of the Friends of the Art Museums of Israel (BFAMI) and sits on the boards of the Public Art Fund; the Tate International Council; MoMA P.S.1; the Council of the Serpentine Galleries; Performa; the Jewish Museum; Artis; and the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. She has received numerous awards, including the Freedom of the City of London in 2012, in recognition of her contribution to the arts and education community. She was also bestowed the Honorary Fellowship of the Israel Museum. In 1993, Ms. Fisher was chosen to represent England as a sculptor in an international art exhibition, “Women and Europe.” Additionally, her work was exhibited in the Olympic Village in London during the 2012 Olympic Games.
Jennifer Blei Stockman joined the Guggenheim Foundation Board of Trustees in 2002 and became the Board’s President in 2005. She will continue to serve on the Board as an emeritus trustee. During Ms. Stockman’s tenure, the Guggenheim presented more than 120 exhibitions in New York—including architecturally innovative rotunda interventions and critically acclaimed presentations of artists from around the world. Under her leadership, the Board advanced a large-scale, three-year renovation on the exterior of the Guggenheim Museum, appointed Richard Armstrong as the museum’s fifth Director in 2008, and announced the development of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which, when completed, will be the largest museum of the Guggenheim network. Since 2013, Ms. Stockman and her husband, David, have endowed the position of Chief Curator at the Guggenheim, held by Nancy Spector, generously advocating for curators and sharing their passion for the creative process. For the past ten years, Ms. Stockman has chaired the Guggenheim International Gala in New York, an event that has raised more than $20 million for the Guggenheim Foundation.
