Phoenix Art Museum announces appointment of philanthropist Carl Thoma to Board of Trustees

Jun, 25, 2020

Board of Trustees and Leadership

Phoenix Art Museum announces appointment of philanthropist Carl Thoma to Board of Trustees

Business leader and arts philanthropist will join the Museum’s 36-member governing board

PHOENIX (June 25, 2020) – The Board of Trustees of Phoenix Art Museum voted unanimously to appoint Carl Thoma to serve as the Board’s newest member. Thoma, a philanthropist and business leader with a special dedication to supporting arts and cultural institutions locally and nationally, will join his colleagues in the governance and oversight of the Museum’s operations and long-term strategy. Led by co-chairs Carter Emerson and Mark Feldman, the Board of Trustees serves as the Museum’s governing body and plays a key role in setting strategic goals and ensuring fiduciary responsibility in collaboration with the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. Timothy J. Rodgers will assume the director role on July 1, 2020.

“We are grateful and honored to have Carl Thoma join the Board of Phoenix Art Museum,” said Carter Emerson, Board co-chair. “Not only has his past generosity in support of exhibitions and educational programs at Phoenix Art Museum had a transformative impact on the institution’s ability to fulfill its mission, but his extensive experience as a business leader and cultural philanthropist will be a tremendous asset as we navigate the challenges ahead, seeking to ensure the Museum’s long-term success.”

Thoma is a managing partner of Thoma Bravo, LLC, a private equity firm he founded in 1980 and which today represents more than $40 billion in equity commitments with a special focus on technology. Along with his new role on the Board of Trustees of Phoenix Art Museum, Thoma serves on the boards of the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, the New Mexico School for the Arts, and SITE Santa Fe.

Thoma, and his wife, Marilynn, who founded the Thoma Foundation, which supports arts, culture, and education, were both born in the American Southwest and share a deep connection to the city of Phoenix, where they live part-time. Their relationship with the city began 40 years ago with Thoma taking his first job in Phoenix, leading to a career of successful entrepreneurial ventures.

“My decision to join the Board of Trustees is rooted in my dedication to bringing art to local communities,” says Thoma. “I look forward to participating in these activities at Phoenix Art Museum. Having known Tim from his stay in Santa Fe, I am excited for the vision and leadership he will bring to the Museum.”

“I am grateful to Carl, Marilynn, and the Thoma Foundation for their extensive support of Phoenix Art Museum through the years,” said Mark Koenig, the Museum’s interim Sybil Harrington Director and the institution’s Chief Financial Officer. “In addition, Carl’s lifelong experience in building strong organizations, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his dedication to ensuring that arts and cultural institutions continue to thrive will make him a great addition to the leadership of this institution.”

Trustees serve a minimum three-year term with the option to renew. Phoenix Art Museum remains closed at this time due to the impact of COVID-19 on its surrounding communities. For more information on the Board of Trustees of Phoenix Art Museum or to schedule interviews, contact the Museum’s Press Office at samantha.andreacchi@phxart.org.

About Phoenix Art Museum

Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenix’s Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museum’s landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. To learn more about Phoenix Art Museum, visit phxart.org or call 602.257.1880.