Contacts: 
Cindy Carlson
President of the Board of Directors
t 612-209-1189 
ccarlson@qcbt.com 

Natalie Dunlop, 
Marketing & Communications
t 563.345.6651
ndunlop@figgeartmuseum.org

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Figge Art Museum Executive Director to Leave This Summer, Having Established 
Solid Foundation for Museum’s Future

Davenport, Iowa (May 3, 2019) – Cindy Carlson, President of the Board of Directors of the Figge Art Museum, announced today that Tim Schiffer, Executive Director and CEO, has given notice of his intent to resign effective later this summer. “We are very grateful for Tim’s contributions to the Figge and the community as a whole,” she said. “We will greatly miss the leadership, knowledge and love for art that he brought to the Figge.”

Schiffer will leave after seven years of leading the Figge to a long string of significant accomplishments, including the recent approval by the Davenport City Council of a long-term extension of a contract to curate the City of Davenport’s art collection, which comprises some of the most significant art in the Figge. “The contract extension is a significant accomplishment that is critical to the long-term financial stability of the museum,” said Ken Koupal, incoming President of the museum board.

Under Tim’s leadership with close collaboration with the Board and key staff, the Figge eliminated its longstanding debt and brought notable exhibitions to the Quad Cities, including last fall’s French Moderns exhibit that led to the creation of a Major Exhibition Endowment at the museum. The museum’s attendance has surpassed 100,000 visitors annually, and membership and participation in education programs have increased by over 50 percent during his tenure.

“When I came to the Figge in 2012 it was a great opportunity for me. I have been fortunate to work with wonderful board members, staff and volunteers to move the museum forward, and it has been exciting to see the community embrace the exhibitions and programs we have developed and to achieve many of our long-term goals. As we complete our next strategic plan, I feel it is time for a new director to bring his or her energy and vision to the Figge, to carry it to the next level of success.”

“During his tenure, the museum has become a hub of community activity, as well as a major factor in community initiatives such as the Q2030 regional vision and Davenport riverfront plans,” Carlson added.  “I am proud of what we have done here and believe we have lived our mission of bringing people and art together.”

Carlson indicated that the Board would initiate a national search for the next Executive Director in the next month, likely aided by a search firm with deep ties to the art and museum community. “I have no doubt that we will find several highly qualified candidates eager to build upon the great work and heightened reputation that the Figge has achieved,” she said.

Schiffer will continue in his role through July 31. The museum plans to host a celebration of the outgoing CEO and his contributions to the Figge and the community at the end of July. “The Board and the Figge staff thank Tim for his leadership and friendship and wish him great success as he moves forward with the next chapter in his life,” said Koupal.

Additional information about the Figge Art Museum and a schedule of events, including the upcoming Gala in June is available at www.figgeartmuseum.org. Information about and the reception honoring Tim Schiffer in July will be posted as plans are finalized.

About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays the museum is open until 9 p.m. Admission to the museum and tour is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID and $4 children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members, and always free to all on Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Figge Café is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org. 

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