(New York, New York) — The American Folk Art Museum (AFAM) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the election of entrepreneur, investor, and artist James Rohrbach. The election took place at the June Board meeting.
“We are thrilled to welcome James to the Board,” said Board President Elizabeth V. Warren. “His diverse professional background and advocacy for the arts will be key to strengthening the Museum’s mission.”
The Museum’s Becky and Bob Alexander Director & CEO Jason T. Busch added: “James’s immense knowledge of business development and his passion for bolstering the work of folk and self-taught artists makes him a wonderful addition to our national Board of Trustees.”
James Rohrbach is a Partner at Alchemy Ventures, one of NYC’s leading residential development and value-add real estate firms. Previously, he was a management consultant in the San Francisco office of McKinsey & Company. He then went on to be the founder, CEO, or on the founding team of six ventures, including: GulliverGo; Semester Online; Seamless Health; and Fluent City. Most recently he cofounded RYCO Capital, a vertically-integrated real estate investment and asset management firm that acquired and operates a $300+ million portfolio of New York City multifamily real estate.
Rohrbach is also an artist himself and a passionate advocate for arts and artists. His art practice lies at the intersection of text, performance, and conceptual frameworks. He is an advisor to and supporter of cultural institutions with the specific goals of making great art accessible and helping artists thrive. His current work in this vein includes being a Trustee of Studio in a School and a Dedicated Mentor at NEW INC. Rohrbach has also served on the board as Chairman of Fluent City. He received a BA in English Literature from Yale University.
About the American Folk Art Museum Board of Trustees
James Rohrbach is the thirtieth member to be welcomed into the American Folk Art Museum’s Board of Trustees, and the twentieth to be elected under the leadership of Jason T. Busch, who became Director and CEO in September, 2018. The Museum’s Board is composed of diverse individuals with experience in arts and cultural sectors, business development, communications, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources, investment, law, and more. Members live and work throughout the country, including in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Louisville, New York City, Pittsburgh, and Washington DC.
The Board helps to strengthen the Museum’s mission to engage people of all backgrounds through its collections, exhibitions, publications, and programs as the leading forum shaping the understanding and appreciation of folk and self-taught artists across time and place.