DALLAS, TX.- The Dallas Museum of Art today announced that John Easley has been named Chief Development Officer; he will begin his new position on November 3. Easley comes to the Dallas Museum of Art with more than thirty years as an arts executive, most recently as Vice President and Assistant Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum. Easley’s appointment at the DMA also marks a return to Dallas, where from 1978 to 1989 he spent a decade in nonprofit management at the Dallas Symphony Association, the Center for Nonprofit Management, and as President of John Easley & Associates, an independent consulting service.
In his role at the DMA, Easley will be responsible for building donor relationships and the advancement of the annual fund, membership, and campaign programs, as well as managing events and dining services provided by Sodexo, Inc. He will report to Bonnie Pitman, The Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, and will work in close partnership with Museum trustees, staff and volunteers, and the community to support the mission of the Dallas Museum of Art.
“We are thrilled to welcome John to the DMA and back to Dallas. As a nationally recognized leader in the museum community, he has successfully led the development and campaign programs for a number of major art museums. John will join our dynamic management team, playing a critical role in planning the future of the DMA and our engagement in the community and with the expansion of the arts district,” said Pitman.
As Vice President and Assistant Director at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Easley created and directed a successful $125 million capital campaign. He held staffing responsibility for a number of trustee committees. He was also credited with successfully developing a strong brand image for the Museum.
"I'm delighted to be joining the DMA at such an exciting moment in its history and I look forward to working with Bonnie, the Museum trustees, staff and volunteers to advance this extraordinary community treasure." Easley said.
Prior to joining the Saint Louis Art Museum six years ago, Easley served as Director of External Affairs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, directing a $200 million campaign, and as Director of Development and External Affairs at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, where he oversaw a five-fold increase in annual and capital funding, securing more than $100 million in community support over a ten-year period.
His Dallas-based experience includes service with the Dallas Symphony Association, where he worked as a development executive for five years, beginning in 1978. Easley is a member of several prominent professional associations, including the Art Museum Development Association, for which he served as the National President and on the Executive Committee.
Easley arrives at the DMA after a period of significant growth in collections, visitation and visibility for the Museum. The Museum has conducted a major campaign, including the raising of funds to build, operate and endow the newly opened Center for Creative Connections. Initiated to ensure the Museum’s ongoing vibrancy and continued growth, the Campaign for a New Century has helped the DMA build its ambitious exhibitions program and sustain its standing as an international leader in museum education and community engagement with art.
