Robert A. Mayer
Encyclopedia
Robert A. Mayer was Director of George Eastman House
from 1981 - 1989. He also served as President of the Museum Association of New York from 1986 - 1988. Mayer made the disputed proposal to transfer the museum's collections of photographs, films and cameras to the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington. The museum's trustees initially approved the transfer in 1985, but later rescinded the move and initiated a $10.5 million fund-raising campaign, of which $7.8 million was spent to construct a building designed to house the collections. Mayer then briefly served as the executive director of the New York State Council on the Arts
. Between 1990 and 1997 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Institute of Art
, and then retired to Scottsdale, AZ.
George Eastman House
The George Eastman House is the world's oldest museum dedicated to photography and one of the world's oldest film archives, opened to the public in 1949 in Rochester, New York, USA. World-renowned for its photograph and motion picture archives, the museum is also a leader in film preservation and...
from 1981 - 1989. He also served as President of the Museum Association of New York from 1986 - 1988. Mayer made the disputed proposal to transfer the museum's collections of photographs, films and cameras to the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in Washington. The museum's trustees initially approved the transfer in 1985, but later rescinded the move and initiated a $10.5 million fund-raising campaign, of which $7.8 million was spent to construct a building designed to house the collections. Mayer then briefly served as the executive director of the New York State Council on the Arts
New York State Council on the Arts
The New York State Council on the Arts is an arts council serving the U.S. state of New York. It was established in 1960 through a bill introduced in the New York State Legislature by New York State Senator MacNeil Mitchell , with backing from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and began its work in 1961...
. Between 1990 and 1997 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland Institute of Art
The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private college of art and design located in University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. From 1891 until 1948 it was named Cleveland School of Art. During the Great Depression the school...
, and then retired to Scottsdale, AZ.