Wexner Center for the Arts Appoints New Deputy Director

Lindsay Cooper Martin will join the Wexner Center for the Arts as Deputy Director, effective July 16, 2018. Partnering with the center’s Director and senior team, she will primarily focus on integrated and strategic organizational capacity-building across administrative, operational, and advancement functions including marketing/communications, development, and patron services. The role is both inward facing with respect to ensuring best internal practices across multiple departments and outward facing with respect to enhancing the center’s profile and reach across campus, community, and the larger art world—whether regional, national or international.

Martin comes to the Wex from the Hammer Museum at UCLA where she served as Director of Administration for three years. She directed the museum’s human resource function for a full-time staff of 100 and 200 part-time employees; provided leadership to a 24/7 security and gallery operations team; oversaw the technology team responsible for visitor experience, business continuity, and risk management; and stewarded the Hammer Store to record sales. Martin also led the development of long range plans for facilities, staffing, attendance, revenues and expenses in preparation for an expansion that is currently underway. As a member of the Hammer’s senior staff she was integral in shaping strategic planning and organizational governance.

Prior to her tenure with the Hammer, Martin served for ten years at Lord Cultural Resources--a global cultural consulting practice working with non-profits, governments, and higher education institutions to plan and manage cultural places, programs and resources. As senior consultant, principal consultant, and ultimately as Managing Director for the U.S., she worked with such diverse clients as the Smithsonian, SFMOMA, the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Glenstone Museum, The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, Princeton University Museum of Art, the Peabody Museum at Harvard University, the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas, the International Center of Photography, Longwood Gardens, Folger Shakespeare Library, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and many others throughout the country and overseas.

Wex Director Sherri Geldin notes, “Lindsay’s knowledge of the field is incredible, and she has extensive experience with strategic and operational planning for institutions similar to the Wex. From conceiving new or renovated physical facilities, to shaping effective administrative and advancement teams and processes, she is adept at connecting the dots across multiple functions—from data gathering and analysis, marketing, development, and patron services to the operational infrastructure required for institution-wide success. As the Wex embarks on envisioning its future amidst a re-imagined gateway to the university, Lindsay’s keen and multi-faceted perspective will be an enormous asset to everyone—the Wex board and staff, as well as colleagues at The Ohio State University.”

Martin is an active contributor to the professional field. She served as editor, with Gail and Barry Lord, of the Manual of Museum Planning: Sustainable Space, Facilities, and Operations (Third Edition), 2012, the definitive text for museum professionals, trustees, architects, and others who are concerned with the planning, design, construction, renovation, or expansion of a cultural institution. She has also contributed to Museum magazine and made numerous presentations at professional conferences.

"I'm thrilled to join the Wex, with its experimental spirit, visionary exhibitions, innovative performances, films, and programs, and distinguished track record that make it a leading voice in contemporary art," said Martin. "I look forward to collaborating with staff, board, and university leadership to steward the organization as it continues this important work and serves the Ohio State and Columbus communities."

Martin succeeds Jack Jackson, who retired from the center in April, after thirteen years of service. Over the next six months, Geldin will work closely with Martin to ensure the smoothest possible transition as the center prepares to welcome a new director in early 2019. In anticipation of these significant leadership changes, the center’s Director of Administration and Operations, Maureen Thomas, will be assuming direct oversight of the Wexner Center Facilities and Technical Services departments, in addition to her existing portfolio of Finance, HR, and IT. Her post will continue to report to the Deputy Director.