Arts Consulting Group Assists Bennington Museum in Finding New Leader

September 24, 2021 – Following an international search, Boston-based search firm Arts Consulting Group has assisted in the recruitment of Martin Mahoney as CEO of the Bennington Museum in Vermont. Wyona Lynch-McWhite, senior vice president, led the assignment. “Congratulations to Bennington Museum, as well as its board and staff, on the appointment of Martin Mahoney as its new executive director,” said Ms. Wyona Lynch-McWhite. “Mr. Mahoney brings a balance of professional expertise, credibility, interpersonal skills, and commitment to internal and external stakeholder satisfaction, which will serve Bennington Museum well as it continues on a path of institutional excellence.”
“I am delighted to welcome Martin Mahoney as our next executive director, and look forward to working with him and introducing him to our community,” said Consie West, chair of the board of trustees.
“He has a breadth and depth of successful experience in the museum world, is committed to making the museum a significant presence in the regional community, and has shown creativity in responding to new challenges,” said David Pilachowski, interim director. “The museum has made an excellent decision in selecting Martin to lead it into the future.”
With more than 20 years of museum leadership experience, Mr. Mahoney has held numerous leadership positions at the Norman Rockwell Museum, including director of curatorial operations, director of collections and exhibitions, and manager of collections and registration. Serving as a member of the museum’s executive team, he was responsible for managing the museum’s national and international traveling and onsite exhibitions, fundraising and budgeting on the institutional level, managing multiple departments, overseeing the preservation and operational management of the museum’s historical buildings, and participating as a key stakeholder in the institutional strategic planning for the museum’s expansion. Mr. Mahoney has also held positions as collections manager, Asian Export Arts Department at the Peabody Essex Museum.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work at such a fantastic institution with an exceptional staff and a very engaged board,” said Mr. Mahoney. “I’m eager to become a participant in the local community and contribute to the continued growth of the museum, the vibrant town of Bennington, and to strive to make the museum a warm and welcoming place for all.”
The Bennington Museum offers what many consider the nation’s finest collection of art and historical artifacts from Vermont, northeastern New York and northwestern Massachusetts. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1983, Bennington Museum offers nationally recognized and critically acclaimed exhibitions, galleries and events. The permanent collection, with more than 45,000 objects, is crowned by the largest public collection of paintings by American folk artist Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses, as well as the definitive survey of 19th century Bennington stoneware.
Arts and Culture Recruiters
Arts Consulting Group provides interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement consulting, facilities and program planning, and organizational development services for the arts and culture industry. The firm has identified senior-level leaders for the Long Beach Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Chicago Opera, Stockton Symphony Association and Portland Baroque Orchestra, among others. The firm has offices in Boston; Calgary; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Halifax; Los Angeles; Nashville, TN; New York; Portland, OR; San Francisco; Tampa, FL; Toronto; and Washington, D.C.
Bruce D. Thibodeau founded ACG in 1997 and has been part of numerous projects in all practice areas to grow institutional sustainability, advance the arts and culture sector, and enhance communities served by the industry. Dr. Thibodeau has guided hundreds of non-profit, university and government clients in achieving effective leadership transitions, planning cultural facilities, increasing revenues, developing dynamic institutional brands and messages, crafting strategic plans and business models, and revitalizing board governance practices.
Ms. Wyona Lynch-McWhite joined ACG as vice president in 2016, bringing more than 21 years of experience leading art, university, and multidisciplinary museums. Her areas of expertise include executive search, museum planning, organizational assessments, strategic visioning, fundraising and diversity training. As an executive search practice leader, she has led numerous search processes throughout the U.S. and Canada, placing executive leaders for a wide range of non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies, including Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and Arts Council of Indianapolis. Ms. Lynch-McWhite has also provided effective solutions in the areas of earned revenue enhancement, strategic planning, and museum planning for clients such as Collier County Museum Division, High Desert Museum and Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California.
Related: Arts Consulting Recruits New Leader for Martha’s Vineyard Museum
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media