Neil Watson Exiting As Director Of Katonah Art Museum

KATONAH, N.Y. ? Neil Watson is stepping down after 7 ½ years as executive director of the Katonah Museum of Art, museum officials announced Tuesday.

Neil Watson is leaving after a successful 7 ½-year run as executive director of the Katonah Museum of Art
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Liz Button

11/20/2012 5:10 p.m.

The search for a successor will begin immediately, according to Rochelle C. Rosenberg, president of the board of trustees.

Watson has served as a strong advocate for the museum and raised the profile of the institution within the art community, a statement from the board of trustees said.

In July, Watson was one of 14 business and nonprofit executives named by Westchester Magazine as the county's "greatest leaders and bosses."

Watson oversaw critically acclaimed exhibitions and was steward of the expansion of the museum's educational outreach and family programs, the statement read.

The Katonah Museum of Art originates 10 to 12 exhibitions annually and offers lectures, films, workshops, concerts and other events for 40,000 people each year.

It is supported in part by ArtsWestchester, Westchester County government and the New York State Council on the Arts in its mission to present educational programs for more than 100 member schools. It also operates a Learning Center and provides outreach programs for the local Hispanic immigrant population.

"We are grateful for [Watson's] commitment and appreciate his significant contributions to the creative spirit of the Katonah Museum of Art," Rosenberg said.

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