The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, a collaborative of 24 arts, science and cultural institutions in Balboa Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paige Simpson as the director of the Partnership’s new Balboa Park Learning Institute. The Learning Institute is a $1.3 million, three-year pilot program, generously supported by a $500,000 matching grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture also provides support.
The Balboa Park Learning Institute was created by the Partnership to develop a learning community based in Balboa Park that can advance professionalism, best practices and new thinking to transform the role of cultural institutions in the community. The Learning Institute provides professional learning opportunities such as workshops, seminars, symposia and networking to professionals, trustees and volunteers.
“The Balboa Park Learning Institute is one of the most exciting outcomes of the Partnership’s collaboration so far,” said Dr. Mick Hager, president and CEO of the San Diego Natural History Museum and board president of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership. “Cultivating the skills, knowledge and abilities of those who work in and support museums, zoos, gardens and other cultural organizations is an important investment in our communities, economy and future. We are pleased to see Paige Simpson assume the director role and move the program forward.”
Simpson is an educator with more than 12 years in the museum field, two of which have been in Balboa Park. She holds a master’s degree in teaching in museum education from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management from the University of San Diego in California. Prior to her work in the park, Simpson led an innovative museum and school partnership program for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and worked at museums such as the Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Visit www.bpcp.org for more about the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership.
Visit www.imls.gov for information about the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Visit www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture for information about the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
