Longtime Atlanta arts and cultural leader Leslie Gordon will be leaving her full-time role with the Breman Museum & Cultural Center on July 31.
Gordon has been executive director of the Breman since February 2019, navigating the cultural institution through the COVID pandemic and a major rebranding.
“This decision comes with a great deal of reflection and gratitude,” Gordon wrote in an email to stakeholders. “I am exceedingly proud of what we have accomplished together. The Breman has evolved into a dynamic cultural center and important showcase for Jewish life, history, and creativity.”
Gordon went on to say the Breman community has built a “vibrant” performing arts series, strengthened the organization’s financial footing, expanded its reach through traveling exhibitions and performances, increased its visibility through marketing and media, developed partnerships across the arts and culture sector and increased support from arts funders.
The mission of the Breman is to connect people to Jewish history, culture and the arts. In addition to the museum and its archives, the Breman also houses the Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, established to capture stories of first-hand experiences from Holocaust survivors.
Rachel Finglass, chair of the Breman board, will be leading the search for Gordon’s successor.
Before joining the Breman, Gordon served as director of the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University from 2003 to early 2019. Prior to that, Gordon served as manager of humanities and educational programs for the National Black Arts Festival, as artistic director of the Arts Festival of Atlanta, and as producer of humanities and special programs for the 1996 Olympic Games Cultural Olympiad,
Since 2002, Gordon has also had an independent consulting practice providing support to arts, culture, and philanthropic organizations.
After July 31, Gordon will serve as a programming consultant to the Breman, supporting its slate of exhibitions, performances and public programs. She will also be available to assist in making sure there’s a smooth leadership transition.
“I look forward to remaining part of the Breman community and helping ensure its continued success,” said Gordon, who added that she might now have time to study Tai Chi or learn mahjong.
Her departure comes at a time of uncertainty for a future home of the Breman, which is located on Spring Street in the complex that was built for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Last fall, the Federation moved its offices to the Dupree building in Sandy Springs.
The Breman has been working with “The Spring,” on the creation of a Jewish cultural center that would be located in the central city, most likely in Midtown. If the Federation decides to sell the property before the Spring is developed, it is possible the Breman will need to find a temporary location for the museum and cultural center.
“The Breman is entering an exciting period of possibility, with conversations about its future home and long-term vision creating opportunities that will shape the institution for years to come,” Gordon wrote in the email. “After helping establish a strong foundation and position the museum for what comes next, I believe this moment presents an opportunity to refresh the institution’s long-term vision, refine its strategic focus and chart an exciting path forward.”
In addition to her role with the Breman, Gordon serves on the boards of several arts and civic boards, including an arts collaborative group known as ArtsCapital/Atlanta.
Gordon also serves on the board of Atlanta Way 2.0. In fact, Gordon generously offered to arrange for Atlanta Way 2.0 to hold its board meetings at the Jewish Federation. Atlanta Way 2.0, a nonprofit, is affiliated with SaportaReport, partnering in efforts to help nurture the next generation of civic journalists.
