JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM ANNOUNCES THAT GREG KIMURA HAS RESIGNED AS PRESIDENT/CEO

Japanese American National Museum officials announced today that Dr. G.W. (Greg) Kimura has decided to resign as President and Chief Executive Officer to pursue new leadership opportunities. Dr. Kimura’s departure comes after more than four years of distinguished service as the Museum’s President and CEO during which he advanced many of the Museum’s goals.

During his tenure, Dr. Kimura is credited with enhancing Museum operations and leading a dynamic team of professionals. “It has been a privilege working with so many dedicated professionals who care deeply about the mission and future of the Museum. In today’s global environment, the Museum is well positioned to foster greater understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures through its unique programs and events. After four years at the helm, I feel that a change in leadership at this point will be healthy for the organization and for me. I thank my team and Museum volunteers, members and donors I’ve had the honor of working with, and look forward to the Museum’s continued growth as a renowned cultural institution,” said Dr. Kimura.

“Greg has been an invaluable, motivated leader for the Museum. His ability to advocate for the Museum and lead the organization forward has preserved the Museum’s place at the forefront of nationally recognized ethnic museums. We are so very fortunate to have benefited from Greg’s leadership and we wish him well in the next phase of his career. The Museum will build upon the progress under Greg’s tenure while continuing in its mission to share the Japanese American experience and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity with younger generations,” said The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Kimura will leave his post on June 30, the end of the Museum’s fiscal year. During the transition, the Board of Trustees will provide executive leadership, as needed, and will work with the Center for Nonprofit Management to identify and select an outside Interim CEO to serve until a permanent President and Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board of Trustees.

Mr. Mineta, Chair of the Board of Trustees, will lead the Museum Search Committee’s national search for the Museum’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mineta said, “The Museum is financially strong and has many new and exciting exhibitions planned, including Above The Fold: New Expressions in Origami exploring the transformation of the Japanese folding paper tradition into a sophisticated international art form. As we work through this leadership transition, the Board will work with the Interim CEO and executive team to continue our focus on meeting the Museum’s strategic plan goals. We will begin immediately to identify permanent President and CEO candidates and expect to hire a new leader as soon as practically possible.”

About the Japanese American National Museum (JANM)

Established in 1985, the Japanese American National Museum promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. Located in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, JANM is a hybrid institution that straddles traditional museum categories and strives to provide a voice for Japanese Americans as well as a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture. Since opening to the public, JANM has presented over 70 exhibitions onsite and traveled 17 of its exhibitions to locations around the world, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Ellis Island Museum in the United States, and several leading cultural museums in Japan and South America.

JANM is located at 100 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles. Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. General admission is $9 adults, $5 students and seniors, free for members and children under age five. Admission is free to everyone on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and every third Thursday of the month from noon to 8 p.m. General admission prices and free admission times may not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions. Closed Monday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. For more information visit janm.org or call 213.625.0414.