THE BARNES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES AN IMPENDING LEADERSHIP CHANGE
June 13, 2005 - Dr. Bernard J. Watson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Barnes Foundation, has informed the Board that Kimberly Camp has decided not to renew her contract as President and CEO of The Foundation upon the contract's expiration. With deep regret, the Board has accepted her decision.
The Board will immediately appoint a committee to conduct an international search for Ms. Camp's successor, seeking to identify a diverse pool of exceptional candidates.
Dr. Watson stated, "Kimberly Camp has guided this organization with a firm and steady hand - as well as extraordinary commitment - through a difficult period of change. She has reinvigorated our education programs, strengthened our staff, reduced our deficit and led a talented team of professionals to improve the care and documentation of The Foundation's great art collection. The Board of Trustees wishes to express its deep appreciation for her dedicated leadership."
"The Board will now go forward with enthusiasm and confidence to realize our exciting plans for the future."
In informing The Foundation of her decision, Kimberly Camp stated, "I have decided that this is a good time to reassess my professional objectives and begin a transition to other challenges. To that end, I am asking you to begin a search process for my successor so that I may resign from my position as President and Chief Executive Officer not later than January 1, 2006. I do so at a time when The Foundation itself is embarking on a significant new enterprise that will require sustained and uninterrupted leadership for the next decade. I remain willing to assist with the transition, and to further the work of the Mellon Collection Assessment Project that is so important to me."
Ms. Camp joined The Barnes Foundation in 1998. During her tenure, The Foundation significantly increased the level of professional standards throughout the areas of education, collections care, research and accessibility, administration and finance. She played a pivotal role in the last few years working closely with the legal team to position The Foundation for its relocation to Center City Philadelphia. She designed and secured both staff and funds to create the Andrew W. Mellon Collection Assessment Project, a major initiative to inventory, conserve and catalogue - for the first time in its history - The Foundation's collection of approximately 9,000 works of art.
According to Dr. Watson, the Trustee search committee will begin at once to recruit a leader of the first rank to head The Foundation in its educational and curatorial activities, as well as the development of the new campus and gallery on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.
Dr. Watson stated that plans for the highly anticipated relocation to the Parkway have been proceeding smoothly, including fundraising efforts, which have been accelerating even during the current "quiet phase" of a campaign. Regular programs at the two existing campuses are in excellent order, ably administered by the staff.
During the transition period, the Chairman, Vice Chairman and other members of the Board will assume additional on-site responsibilities to assure the maintenance of The Foundation's momentum in realizing its plans.
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For further press information:
Claire Whittaker or Stuart Klawans
The Kreisberg Group, Ltd.
212.799.5515
claire@kreisberggroup.com
stuart@kreisberggroup.com
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