News
January 8, 2018Albany Institute of History & Art Welcomes New Board Chairperson F. Michael Tucker
January 2018 marks a moment of new leadership at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Board Trustee F. Michael Tucker, elected by the board in November 2017, became the President of the Board of Trustees at the Albany Institute on January 1, 2018. He first joined the Board in 1997. He has served as the museum’s Treasurer and on several committees and is enthusiastic about his new role. He succeeds long-serving chairperson George R. Hearst, III.
Tucker is President of Tucker Strategies, Inc., an Albany real estate, energy and economic development consulting firm. He previously served as President and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth and Mercer Asset Management. One of upstate New York’s leading experts on economic development and technology-driven business creation and growth, he brings a 30-year record of accomplishment in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
“I am honored to continue in George Hearst’s footsteps and look forward to advancing the Albany Institute’s vision of bringing a global perspective to the art, history, and culture of the Upper Hudson Valley and creating physical and virtual experiences for the education, entertainment, and inspiration of people of all ages,” says Tucker.
Tammis Groft, the museum’s executive director, is looking forward to working with Tucker in his new role as President. “Mike’s enthusiasm for the museum and this region is infectious. We are all excited to see what 2018 will bring.”
Outgoing board chairperson George Hearst, III, the publisher and CEO of the Times Union, served twenty-six years on the Board of Trustees. Known for his commitment to philanthropy and dedicated support of the arts, as Trustee Hearst served as Chairman of the transformative Heritage Campaign which made the Albany Institute an anchor cultural institution in downtown Albany and in New York State. In 2006, he was elected the President of the Board of Trustees. Under his leadership, the Albany Institute built community, received re-accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in recognition of the use of best practices, set ambitious strategic plans, opened an onsite café, and shared the region’s art and history with over a quarter million people through innovative and engaging exhibitions, education programs, lectures, and special events. In 2015, one of the museum’s largest galleries was dedicated as the Christine and George R. Hearst III Gallery in honor of their longstanding support to the museum.
“It has been my pleasure to work with George as the museum’s director,” says Groft. “He really values the mission of the Albany Institute and has helped position the museum for success in the future. In recognition of his years of distinguished service and leadership, he has been granted the new title Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees at the Albany Institute of History & Art.”
Upcoming press event on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 2PM: Tucker will be at the Albany Institute of History & Art on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 2PM to help launch a new Family Discovery Tour with program supporter AT&T. This will be Tucker’s first official event as President and media are invited to meet with him at that time to talk with him about his new role.
The Albany Institute of History & Art is located at 125 Washington Avenue in Albany, New York. Free parking is available in the museum’s lot at the corner of Elk and Dove Streets.
The exhibition galleries, Museum Shop, and Crisan Café at the Albany Institute are open Wednesday 10am-5pm, Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday noon-5pm. In addition, the café and museum shop are open Tuesdays from 10am-5pm. The Research Library is open on Thursdays from 1pm-4:30pm and by appointment.
Current admission rates are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with ID, $6 for children aged 6-12, and free for children under 6. Albany Institute members are admitted for free. There is no charge to visit the café or museum shop. The museum offers free admission to the galleries on Thursdays from 5pm-8pm and on the First Fridays of the month from 5pm-8pm. To learn about discounts and free admission days, please refer to the Visit section of www.albanyinstitute.org.
For more information, visit www.albanyinstitute.org or call (518) 463-4478.
