Bob Lehman, a prominent figure in the arts community, has been appointed as the new executive director of San Diego ART Matters, the leading arts advocacy organization in the region. This announcement follows Lehman’s successful tenure as head of the San Diego Museum Council, where he served since 2021.
Founded in 1989, San Diego ART Matters was previously known as the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition. It began as a grassroots effort to secure funding for cultural organizations in San Diego after a proposal to eliminate arts funding from the city’s hotel tax. Over the years, it has evolved into a significant voice for the arts in California and beyond, collaborating with organizations such as California Arts Advocates on state issues and Americans for the Arts at the national level. In 2024, the organization rebranded to its current name to better reflect its mission.
During his time at the San Diego Museum Council, Lehman was instrumental in raising the organization’s profile, especially during the challenges posed by the pandemic. He managed to triple the council’s membership to over 100 arts groups and focused on fostering partnerships with cultural institutions across the border. His visibility and advocacy for museums included regular updates via social media and television appearances.
Lehman expressed his vision for his new role, stating, “I hope to achieve a strong partnership between San Diego ART Matters and the San Diego Museum Council that embraces our shared goals and overlapping missions.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration, especially in the current challenging climate for the arts, noting, “We need to work together, collaborate, and share resources. Those are the keys to long-term, sustainable success for us both.”
In the absence of a new executive director at the San Diego Museum Council, Tom Felkner, the council’s director of operations, will manage daily operations and report to the board of directors.
At San Diego ART Matters, Lehman will lead efforts to advocate for funding and shape policies affecting the artistic and cultural landscape of San Diego County. A significant focus will be on supporting artists and arts organizations in rural, unincorporated, and underserved communities.
Felicia Shaw, deputy director for San Diego ART Matters, remarked on the synergy between herself and Lehman, noting their prior collaborations through statewide leadership roles. “Having him join SDAM is an easy fit and natural transition in leadership,” she said.
James Halliday, interim chair of San Diego ART Matters, described Lehman’s hiring as a substantial win for the arts and culture community. “A thriving creative ecosystem needs passionate and determined advocates and champions. Having both Bob and Felicia at SDAM brings tremendous capacity and vision to the organization,” he stated.
Lehman is known for his collaborative leadership style and is eager to leverage his experience to enhance advocacy for the arts in San Diego County. He aims to position San Diego ART Matters as a robust, coordinated voice for the region’s arts community, striving for sustainable impact across all neighborhoods.
“We have extraordinary cultural assets across our region, from tribal museums and rural arts centers to major institutions and cross-border partners. But too many of these organizations are operating without the resources, staffing, or long-term stability they need,” he added. Lehman’s immediate priority will be to expand access to funding, elevate the voices of cultural workers, and build the necessary infrastructure to support growth throughout the region.
