FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2017

American Alliance of Museums Names Arthur Affleck as VP of Development

ARLINGTON, VA–The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, today named Arthur Affleck as its new vice president of development. Affleck will lead all aspects of the Alliance’s fundraising programs and activities with the primary goal of building a culture of philanthropy in support of the Alliance’s 2016-2020 strategic plan.

Arthur Affleck

“I’m excited to bring Arthur’s talents, passion, and experience to the Alliance. Our field is seeing rapid change, with museums stepping up to engage their communities in everything from education to social justice, from cultural tourism to new business startups,” said Alliance President and CEO Laura Lott. “That’s why our strategic plan calls for building partnerships both within and outside of the museum field. Arthur knows how to build those partnerships.”

Affleck most recently served at Hampton University in Virginia as associate vice president for development, where he led the $150 million Campaign for Hampton. Over a 30-year career in higher education, he also has worked for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, where he developed corporate and foundation partnerships, as well as Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, and Bennett College in Greensboro, NC, among other institutions.

“I know firsthand the potential of museums to inspire,” said Affleck. “I grew up in New York City and spent the first 10 years of my life in public housing – ‘The Projects’.  But every now and then, when we were lucky enough to take a trip to the museum, I felt the joy of that experience.  It stayed with me.”

“I’m looking forward to being the vice president of development for the Alliance because I’m confident that we can find partners and investors who share that vision, who feel that if we can get museums to reach out to touch the lives of those who have not been traditionally welcomed, it’s a win-win-win. It helps our museums, it helps our communities, and it helps our country.”

About the American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. Representing more than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners serving the museum field, the Alliance stands for the broad scope of the museum community. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

###

Media Contact:

Joseph Klem
Director, Public Relations
American Alliance of Museums
202-218-7670
jklem@aam-us.org