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Date January 20, 2005

Contact: Chris Hayden, Director of Communications, Ext. 28 Releases and photos available via email - send request to chayden@berkshiremuseum.org

Berkshire Museum Announces New Executive Director
Trustees Announce Appointment of Stuart A. Chase as Executive Director

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Trustees of the Berkshire Museum announce the appointment of Stuart A. Chase as Executive Director effective March, 2005. Chase comes to the Museum from the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, where he has served as Director of Membership and Community Affairs since January, 2003. Chase brings a wealth of knowledge in both art and history to the Berkshire Museum, in addition to over 20 years of museum management and leadership experience. During his tenure as Executive Director at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, in Corning, NY, Chase led the development of a bold new business plan that reversed declines in membership and visitation, refocusing its mission on Western and Native American art. He also managed a 14-month, $10 million improvement plan of the Museum’s historic building, meeting museum-quality environmental standards and other requirements.

While serving as Director of the Raynham Hall Museum in Long Island, NY, Chase obtained American Association of Museums accreditation for the institution— a very rigorous process, which is a highly desirable achievement among museum professionals.

Additionally, Chase is an experienced fundraiser; he has established major gift programs, significantly increased endowments, and has secured major grants from private and governmental sources.

“We went through a very thorough search process to ensure we selected the best candidate,” says Board of Trustees President Michael Christopher. “Stuart’s extensive background in art and history, his outstanding leadership accomplishments, combined with the fact that he already has relationships with the local community made him the ideal candidate.”

Chase holds a B.F.A. in art history and museum studies and an ABD from the Long Island University C.W. Post Center in Greenvale, NY. He has served on the Master Plan Advisory and Design Review Committees for the City of Corning; was a Board Member of the Exhibition Alliance (formerly GANYS) from 2001-2004; served as Vice President of the Museum Association of New York from 2001-2002, and was a Board member from 1996-2002.

“We are indeed fortunate to have a person with Stuart’s vision and record of accomplishment serving the Berkshire Museum,” adds Christopher. Under his leadership, we are all confident that the Museum will continue to be a vital cultural resource in our community and further expand its strong educational programs and exhibitions.”

Continues Christopher, “The Trustees, Corporators and I are grateful to the staff--particularly Interim Director Michael Willson--for their enthusiasm and dedication to carrying on the mission of the Museum during the search process. “Under his leadership, the Museum curated a successful contemporary art exhibition, Presence of Light, and opened the world’s largest traveling reptiles exhibit, Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly, which runs until May 8.”

Chase states, "I look forward to carrying forward the Museum's vision, which includes improving the physical presence of the building while serving the region and engaging audiences of all ages with dynamic programming that reflects the great traditions and future of the Berkshire Museum."

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