Press Room

New York, NY (February 21, 2014)

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) today announced that Robert Cundall will join the museum as its new Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer effective May 2014. He will replace MAD’s recently retired Chief Financial Officer Robert Salemo in this newly expanded position overseeing the day to day operations of the museum.

Cundall brings to MAD over 30 years of expertise in strategic planning, organizational development, finance and operations in both for-profit and non-profit contexts. He joins MAD from the Seattle Art Museum, where he most recently served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing many aspects of museum operations and administration, including finance, facilities, technology, legal, human resources and government affairs.

“We are delighted to welcome Bob Cundall to the Museum of Arts and Design,” stated Glenn Adamson, the museum’s Nanette L. Laitman Director. “With many new initiatives on the horizon for MAD, Bob’s role will be critical in effectively managing the day to day administration of the museum while providing strategic planning and development to support our reinvigorated mission. Bob’s stellar track record, breadth of experience coupled with a proactive and collaborative management style made him the obvious choice.”

“I am thrilled to be joining MAD at this pivotal juncture in its history and look forward to being part of the next chapter of its growth,” said Cundall. “Leaving the Seattle Art Museum, its extraordinary board of trustees and my outstanding colleagues after 12 years is not a decision I took lightly, but MAD offers a unique opportunity to apply my SAM experience in an exciting, new context.”

Prior to joining the Seattle Art Museum, Cundall’s professional experience includes serving as Vice President of Global Operations for Washington, D.C. based Business Software Alliance, the leading software trade association, and corporate finance and operations positions with Mobil Corporation.

Cundall received his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his BS from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He currently serves on the boards of Pride Foundation and PAWS, both based in the Seattle area.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) explores the value of making across all fields of contemporary creative practice. The Museum focuses on the ways in which artists and designers transform the world around us, through processes ranging from the artisanal to the digital. MAD’s exhibition program is dedicated to creativity and craftsmanship, and demonstrates the limitless potential of materials and techniques when used by gifted and innovative artists. The Museum’s permanent collection is global in scope and includes art, craft, and design from 1950 to the present day. At the center of the Museum's mission is education. The Museum houses classrooms and studios for master classes, seminars, and workshops for students, families, and adults. Three open studios engage visitors in the creative processes of artists at work and enhance the exhibition programs. Lectures, films, performances, and symposia related to the Museum’s collection and subjects across the full spectrum of making practices are held in a renovated 144-seat auditorium.