The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls has named John Lefner as its new chief development officer.
Lefner has over 17 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience.
The museum also has temporarily paused public visits to its galleries, exhibits, and historic home. It will open its doors to the public again on Saturday, May 1, with an exhibition titled “The Very Best of The Hyde.”
“Our first and most pressing priority always is to protect our staff and visitors,” said Chief Executive Officer Norman E. Dascher Jr., noting that the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, predicted to continue this winter and early spring, led to the decision.
The Hyde will undertake internal improvement and maintenance projects during the period and its offices will remain open, though with reduced hours and staff. Some employees will be furloughed, others will work on limited schedules, he said.
In his most recent position, Lefner was the District executive director for the Capital District YMCA, where he led the strategic plan and oversaw all operations of YMCA Camp Chingachgook and the Schenectady YMCA. Prior to that, he was the director of operations for the Saratoga Independent School and the assistant director of operations for the Double H Ranch.
He has served as board member for Wellspring and the state YMCA Foundation, provided leadership to the Schenectady Foundation’s COVID-19 Coalition, and volunteers regularly in the Capital Region.
He graduated from Champlain College with associate bachelor of science degrees and possesses a YMCA fundraising certificate from Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy.
The museum also announced the appointment of Carl DeBrule and James R. Burkett to its board of directors, effective immediately.
Officials said the Hyde continues to reduce its operating expenses in response to declines in revenue cause by COVID-related limitations on exhibitions, programs and visits since March 2020. The early months of each year traditionally bring fewer visitors to The Hyde, and for much of 2020 visitation has been lower because of the social-distancing policies the museum has imposed to protect the health of patrons and staff.
“The Hyde’s mission is to make art accessible to our community, but we believe the most prudent step we can take right now is to pause public visits and look forward to the better days that we hope will come this spring,” said Dascher.
“The Very Best of The Hyde” will feature the most popular treasures from the Hyde’s permanent collection of nearly 4,000 objects of art. The Hyde will celebrate its 60th year in 2022, and planning for major anniversary exhibitions and celebrations is already underway.
Dascher said across the United States, museums have temporarily paused public visitation in response to COVID-19. The American Alliance of Museums reported recently that one in three museums remains closed to the public because of the pandemic.
The Smithsonian temporarily closed eight of its Washington, D.C. area institutions in November. The New York State Museum, State Library and State Archives are temporarily closed as well as are the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, and the Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake.