Jenny Gibbs has more than two decades of demonstrated success as a frontline leader in the arts and higher education. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the IFPDA and the IFPDA Foundation, where she manages a professional association of 150 art galleries and oversees grant programs supporting museums and nonprofits. Under her leadership, the IFPDA has increased its outreach and influence, developing strategic partnerships with institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, British Museum, and MoMA, and a major sponsorship with BNY Wealth. Her expertise spans fundraising, board development, and innovative program creation, drawing from her experiences as a museum director and academic leader.

Previously, Jenny served as a Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Dean of Graduate Programs at Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Executive Director of the Lacoste School of the ArtsBard College, and Executive Director of Elmhurst Art Museum, where she led the institution through a period of remarkable growth, doubling membership, tripling attendance, and closing several major gifts.

Jenny has developed public programs and special projects with artists such as Ed Ruscha, Jeff Koons, Vija Celmins, Christiane Baumgartner, Leonardo Drew, Rashid Johnson, Tschabalala Self, Jeffrey Gibson, Kiki Smith, Carrol Dunham, Yashua Klos, Swoon, and Mickalene Thomas, as well as well-reviewed exhibitions at Elmhurst Art Museum. With a background that includes positions at Christie’s and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Jenny brings a deep commitment to fostering diversity, supporting the arts, and mentoring the next generation of artists, curators, and gallerists.

Photo Credits:

Jenny Gibbs with Tschabalala Self’s Bodega Customer with Ponytail in Red (2024). Colored pencil, acrylic paint, gouache and silkscreen on paper in artist-designed frame. Photo by Jason Lowrie for BFA. Courtesy of the IFDPA Foundation.

David Wallace Haskins, Skycube (2016). Permanent installation at Elmhurst Art Museum.