The Ringling's Curator Of Performance To Become Endowed Position

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Florida State University announce a new endowment gift to The Ringling from Stephen (Steve) and Judith (Judy) Shank, M.D. The gift will establish the Shank Curator of Performance Endowment which will support the hiring and retention of exceptional performance programming leadership.

"Performance has long played a vital role at The Ringling, commencing with the acquisition of the Asolo Theater in the late 1940s. With the restoration and re-opening of the theater in 2006, we renewed and re-energized our commitment to a program of innovative and ground-breaking performance," said Steven High, executive director of The Ringling. "Steve and Judy's visionary gift will ensure that The Ringling remains a world-class center for performance programming in perpetuity."

Judy Shank, M.D. is a retired physician and three-year member of The Ringling Board of Directors. She has served as the President of the Minnesota Medical Association, Vice Chair of the Board of Allina Health Systems and is a founding board member of Hennepin Health Systems, a public safety net hospital. Judy currently serves on the Sarasota Area Board of United Way Sun Coast and SPOON Foundation. SPOON Foundation is the first and only organization dedicated to transforming nutrition and feeding for children, with and without disabilities, in orphanages and foster care around the world. Along with her husband, Steve, she serves as Co-Chair of the National Advisory Committee of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Steve more recently founded Capella Education Company, the first wholly online university and is the former CEO of the Tonka Toy Company. Judy and Steve have supported Art of Performance at The Ringling since 2011, and with this endowment they have chosen to honor two architects of that program, Curator Dwight Currie and Guest Artist Manager Michael Kohlmann.

The Ringling's Art of Performance curatorial program was launched by Currie and Ringling colleague Aaron Muhl in 2008 with a mission to present new works that exemplify and explore the rich diversity of ideas and forms at play in the world today. Kohlmann joined the team in 2010, and together they built the innovative program based on the work of the Museum's first director, A. Everett "Chick" Austin Jr., who established a focus on performance as the Museum was revitalized in the late 1940s and 50s. The naming of the curatorial position for Currie and Kohlmann honors their contributions at the time of their retirements earlier this year. Muhl continues to serve the program as Managing Director.

"Thanks to this generous endowment gift, FSU and The Ringling will continue to program the exciting, challenging and vibrant performances that enhance our Museum, our university and the community at large," said FSU President John E. Thrasher.

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