John Easley Appointed Chief Advancement Officer at the Cleveland Museum of Art

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Cleveland, OH (February, 2017) The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) has announced the appointment of John Easley as Chief Advancement Officer. In this role, Easley will lead and provide strategic direction for all aspects of the museum’s fund development and constituent relationships. He will assume his duties at the CMA in April.

”With the recent completion of the museum’s $320-million Transformation campaign and as we develop opportunities to engage new audiences throughout Northeast Ohio, John is ideally suited to lead our fundraising efforts as we energetically seek to fulfill the immense promise of our second century,” said Director William Griswold. “I am excited about working with him in his new role.”

As Chief Advancement Officer, Easley will serve as the guiding architect of the museum’s fundraising program, providing strategic and operational leadership for ongoing initiatives and special campaigns to secure, support and strengthen the museum’s cultural and educational mission. He will work with colleagues, board members and volunteers to develop fundraising goals and strategies that broaden community connections and encourage philanthropic investment in the museum and its mission.

Easley will be a member of the museum’s executive leadership team reporting to and working closely with the Director. He will supervise the museum’s Development, Membership and Visitor Experience, Advancement Administration and Legislative Affairs departments. 

“I have long admired Cleveland for the greatness of its cultural institutions and the philanthropic and community spirit that has built and sustained them for generations. I could not be more honored or delighted to be joining Director Bill Griswold and the wonderful CMA team as the museum begins its second century of service,” Easley said. “My wife Mary and I look forward to being part of the Cleveland community and to discovering all that life in Northeast Ohio offers.”

Easley has devoted his entire career to the leadership of cultural organizations. Currently, he serves as Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. He also served as Co-President/CEO for the orchestra during an executive transition period.

Prior to that, he was President of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation in Santa Fe. Over the course of more than twenty-five years in the art museum field, Easley has designed and led major capital and endowment campaigns supporting art museum expansions and advancement including assignments as Vice President of Development and External Affairs for the Saint Louis Art Museum; Director of External Affairs for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri; and Director of Development and External Affairs for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. 

Easley holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.