ATLANTA, GA.- Michael E. Shapiro, the Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr. Director of the High Museum of Art, announces that the Museum has appointed Kimberly Watson as the new Director of Museum Advancement. Watson will oversee the High’s advancement department, which consists of individual, corporate, foundation and government support as well as the High’s largest fundraiser, the Wine Auction. Watson joined the High on April 4, 2011.

“Kimberly will bring a great depth of knowledge to this position from her extensive fundraising and publicity planning experience for a diverse group of major non-profit institutions in New York,” stated Michael E. Shapiro, the High’s Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr. Director. “We are looking forward to welcoming Kimberly during such an important fundraising time for the Museum. She will play an important role in continuing to grow the High’s successful outreach to support new opportunities for the High and our growing audiences.”

Watson has more than 15 years of experience in fundraising and publicity campaign planning. Most recently, she served as Senior Major Gifts Officer at Hunter College in New York City. From 2006 to 2009, Watson was the Director of Development at the Studio in a School Association in New York City. During her tenure at STUDIO, Watson planned and executed the most successful fundraising benefit in its history. Her prior positions include a10-year tenure at The Museum of Modern Art in New York as Assistant to the Director of Special Events (1996–1998), Senior Coordinator of Special Events (1998–2000), Assistant Director of Special Events (2000–2003) and Assistant Director of Development (2003–2006).

“I am honored and excited to be joining the High, with its wonderful history of classic and contemporary art and architecture,” stated Kimberly Watson. “I am eager to create even more opportunities for individuals and organizations to experience the High and for its leadership and staff to succeed in our mission of bringing more art to more people more often.”

Watson received a master’s degree in public administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University in 1996, specializing in non-profit management, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Harper College at the State University of New York in Binghamton, New York, in 1992.