Payson named executive director of Providence Children’s Museum

CAROLINE PAYSON has been named executive director of the Providence Children's Museum. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
CAROLINE PAYSON has been named executive director of the Providence Children's Museum. / COURTESY PROVIDENCE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

PROVIDENCE – The Providence Children’s Museum’s Board of Directors has named Caroline Payson as its new executive director following a national search.
Payson will build upon the foundation and legacy left by Janice O’Donnell, who served as the museum’s executive director from 1985 to 2014. She will relocate to Rhode Island to assume the role in late February. Megan Fischer, who has served as interim executive director since late 2014, has been named to the new role of associate director.
“Caroline is a dynamic leader with a proven history of success,” museum board President Matthew Littlefield said in a statement. “We are confident that she will bring many new and exciting ideas and will be a strong and successful leader for the museum.”
Payson spent more than 10 years as director of education at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Before that, Payson served as director of educational services for Maryland Public Television, and in a number of faculty and administrative positions at the New School University/Parsons School of Design, including associate dean and chair for liberal studies.
“I’m delighted to be joining Providence Children’s Museum at such an exciting and pivotal time in its nearly 40-year history,” said Payson. “I look forward to extending the important mission of the museum, and to exploring innovative ways to reach and inspire more children and families in the community.”
She received a 2014 Smithsonian Education Award for outreach to underserved audiences and has been recognized for contributions to art education and design.
Originally from Boston, she received her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and her undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College.
The search was conducted by Management Consultants for the Arts and was co-chaired by museum board members Jennifer Lippman and Martha Roberts.

No posts to display