Bob Lehman has been appointed as the new executive director of San Diego ART Matters, a prominent arts advocacy organization in San Diego. This appointment follows his leadership of the San Diego Museum Council since 2021, where he made significant strides in enhancing the organization’s profile, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Founded in 1989 and originally known as the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition, San Diego ART Matters emerged in response to a proposed elimination of arts funding sourced from the city’s hotel tax. Over the years, it has evolved into a vital voice for arts and culture 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, adopting the name San Diego ART Matters to better reflect its mission.
During his tenure at the San Diego Museum Council, Lehman demonstrated a strong commitment to the arts community. He tripled the council’s membership to over 100 arts organizations and worked actively to strengthen ties with cultural institutions across borders. His hands-on approach included frequent visits to museums and consistent engagement with the public through social media and television appearances, enhancing visibility for the council’s initiatives.
In transitioning to San Diego ART Matters, Lehman expressed his intent to foster collaboration between the two organizations. He emphasized the importance of partnership in today’s challenging environment, stating, “We need to work together, collaborate and share resources. Those are the keys to long-term, sustainable success for us both.”
In Lehman’s absence, Tom Felkner, the council’s director of operations, will manage daily activities and report to the board of directors. At San Diego ART Matters, Lehman aims to advance the organization’s advocacy efforts and influence policy in San Diego County’s cultural landscape. A key focus will be on supporting artists and arts organizations in rural, unincorporated, and underserved communities.
Felicia Shaw, deputy director for San Diego ART Matters, highlighted the seamless fit of Lehman’s leadership style with the organization’s goals. “Bob and I are already connected at the hip in so much of our work,” she noted, referring to their joint roles in statewide arts leadership.
James Halliday, interim chair of San Diego ART Matters, described Lehman’s appointment as a significant advantage for the local arts community. “A thriving creative ecosystem needs passionate and determined advocates and champions,” he said. “Having both Bob and Felicia at SDAM brings tremendous capacity and vision to the organization.”
Lehman is eager to leverage his experience from the San Diego Museum Council to amplify the voice of the arts community across all neighborhoods in San Diego County. He remarked, “My priority is to further position San Diego ART Matters as a powerful, coordinated, regional voice for our arts and culture community.”
He also identified critical challenges that many cultural organizations face, stating that numerous institutions lack the resources and stability needed to thrive. “My immediate focus is to help expand access to funding, elevate the voices of our cultural workers, and build the shared infrastructure that allows our creative sector to grow,” he added.
As Lehman steps into this new role, his commitment to the arts in San Diego is clear, with aspirations not only to enhance funding but also to ensure that every corner of the region benefits from its rich cultural assets.
