Max Weintraub, an art museum professional with more than 20 years of experience in curatorial and educational aspects of museum operation, has been named Allentown Art Museum (AAM) President and CEO by the institution’s Board of Trustees.

Weintraub’s appointment concludes a five-month national search that engaged more than 60 regional community leaders in articulating the qualifications for the position and evaluating candidates for the leadership post at the AAM, according to a press release from the Museum.

On Feb 24, David Mickenberg resigned as president of the Allentown Art Museum “to pursue other opportunities” after seven years in that position.

Diane Scott, former superintendent of Allentown School District, was interim executive director of the Museum during the search.

As President and CEO, Weintraub is responsible for the successful operation of the AAM, including implementing the organization’s strategic plan; overseeing exhibitions, education, and programming; building fundraising and donor capacity, and fostering productive community relationships.

Weintraub brings a broad and stellar resume to Allentown.

Since January 2019, Weintraub has been senior curator at the Aspen Art Museum, Aspen, Col., where he was responsible for the museum’s exhibition program. Before that he was director and chief curator of the art galleries at the Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis, Ind.

His experience includes eight years as a curator and professor of art history at Hunter College, New York City; 10 years (2006-2016) as a museum educator at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City, and seven years (1999-2006) as a museum educator and film educator at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City.

Michelle Stringer, chair of the AAM Board, said Weintraub has a collaborative approach and enthusiasm to complement his experience.

“Max’s style is very inclusive, collaborative, and poised,” said Stringer, adding, “He has demonstrated a strong ability to connect with different constituencies and engage with wide varieties of stakeholders, which is essential for a museum like ours that plays so many essential roles in the community.

“We are confident he will be the type of leader who can inspire our team to greatness and move the entire Lehigh Valley arts scene forward,” Stringer said.

Weintraub echoed Stringer’s assessment of the importance of connecting the AAM with the community.

“I am delighted and humbled to join the Allentown Art Museum and to become a member of the Lehigh Valley community,” Weintraub said, adding, “I am excited about this opportunity to enhance the Museum’s mission as a vital resource for its diverse audiences.

“I believe in making art accessible and meaningful to all, and I will continue to advance these principals as the AAM grows,” Weintraub said.

Weintraub’s hiring comes at a forward-looking time for the Allentown Art Museum, which reopened to the public in August following the conronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown in March.

There are plans for a public unveiling of its recent reattributed Rembrandt, “Portrait of a Young Woman,” amidst a downtown Allentown rejuvenation that is poised to regain momentum following the pandemic.

“It is clear that Allentown is on a positive trajectory with cultural and professional development,” Weintraub said.

“The Allentown Art Museum is perfectly poised to help fuel that charge. Because we are perfectly situated between Philadelphia and New York, we can maximize connections with artist communities that I have worked with for decades.

“People want a dynamic, intimate, personal experience at a museum, and our size and wonderful world-class collection is perfectly positioned to deliver that,” Weintraub said.

Weintraub’s education formulated his ties to the Philadelphia area. He received a Ph.D. in History of Art with a focus on Modern and Contemporary Art from Bryn Mawr College in 2006, an M.A. in History of Art with a focus on Modern and Contemporary Art from Bryn Mawr in 2001, an M.A. in Medieval European History from North Carolina State University in 1997, and a B.A. in History from Haverford College in 1993.

Weintraub will relocate to the Lehigh Valley from Aspen, Col.

Information: www.AllentownArtMuseum.org