Bellevue, WA—The Bellevue Arts Museum's Board of Trustees announced today that they have appointed Karin Kidder, formerly Director of Marketing & Communications at BAM, as Interim Executive Director of the Museum, replacing Linda Pawson who has served in the role of Executive Director since 2013. Under Pawson's leadership the Museum saw the highest annual attendance to date and gained international and national recognition.

This appointment comes on the heels of the announcement made at BAM's Breakfast for Community Leaders regarding two significant gifts from the Kemper Freeman family. The Kemper Freeman family, KDC, and the Bellevue Collection will be making a matching gift of $1 million, where they will match one dollar for every two dollars the Museum raises to kick off the Museum's fundraising efforts. In addition to this substantial pledge, they are also gifting another $1 million specifically for capital expenditures related to the building.

"There are tremendous opportunities ahead for Bellevue Arts Museum" said Dr. Julie Miller, President of BAM's Board of Trustees. "We thank Linda for all she has done in helping the Museum get to where it is today and are excited to have Karin's leadership and entrepreneurial drive as we embark on the next stage of the Museum's development."

Karin Kidder has served as BAM's Director of Marketing & Communications since 2014. In addition to her leadership at BAM and a background in international business, she worked for Dale Chihuly and Foster/White Gallery early in her career and brings a wealth of knowledge in the arts. She has also served on multiple committees representing BAM in both Bellevue and Seattle including the Visit Bellevue Advisory Committee. Karin earned her MBA from London Business School in 2008 and has a BA in Art History from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

ABOUT BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM

Bellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest to experience art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community through exhibitions, programs, and publications, featuring regional, national, and international artists. bellevuearts.org.

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