News

The Board of Trustees of the International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lindsey Schneider as executive director. Schneider succeeds Dr. Sharon Flescher, who has served with distinction as IFAR's executive director since 1998 and is retiring after an illustrious tenure at the end of this year.

When she assumes the post in January, Dr. Schneider will become IFAR's fourth executive director. She will be responsible for all day-to-day operations of the distinguished New York-based nonprofit, known for its unique role in advancing awareness of issues such as art theft, looting, and competing claims of ownership, as well as fakes, forgeries, and otherwise misattributed art objects. As executive director, Schneider will serve as a bridge-builder between IFAR's diverse stakeholders, ranging from art dealers and collectors, academics, and museum curators, to representatives of legal and government entities, such as DHS and the FBI. She will also direct IFAR's provenance and attribution research programs, fundraising and communications, lectures, events, and partnerships, as well as edit and publish the highly respected IFAR Journal.

"When we began the search for the next executive director, we set out to find the rare person who possessed not only subject matter expertise in art history and fluency around legal considerations in the art market, but also the fiscal and operational savvy to ensure the viability of IFAR well into the future," said Board Chair Jennifer Schipf. "Lindsey stood out immediately as she has the rare complement of scholarly credentials combined with outstanding management experience. With Lindsey at the helm, we are confident that IFAR is well positioned to build upon its strong legacy and commitment to upholding integrity in the visual arts."

Schneider joins IFAR with an impressive roster of academic and professional accomplishments. A scholar of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture, she brings over two decades of experience in development and organizational management at renowned institutions such as Columbia University, the American Academy in Rome, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. An adjunct professor at Columbia, she has also taught at the University of Michigan and NYU, and serves on the Advisory Council of the Civitella Ranieri Foundation in Umbria, Italy. She received a bachelor's degree with honors from Tulane University, an MA and Ph.D. from the Institute of Fine Arts at NYU, and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

"I am thrilled to have been chosen as the next executive director of the International Foundation for Art Research," Schneider said, "IFAR's contributions to the art world over more than 50 years -- from scholarship and advocacy on issues of provenance and repatriation, to the conscientious undertaking of attribution and authentication -- are invaluable. At this moment of heightened attention to cultural patrimony and the ethical ownership of works of art, IFAR's mission has never been more vital. I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of such a venerable institution, and I look forward to helping shape its legacy and to sharing its critical work with an even broader audience."

Dr. Flescher is the third and longest-serving executive director of IFAR, holding the position for more than 25 years. During this time, among her many other achievements, she served as editor-in-chief of the IFAR Journal; created IFAR's online research tools, including the Catalogues Raisonnés and Art Law & Cultural Property databases and Provenance Guide; organized numerous successful and important public programs and conferences; and brought many honors and awards to IFAR. "Sharon leaves behind her an outstanding record of leadership and her breadth and depth of knowledge are incomparable," said Schipf.  "She has not only been the face of the organization but also the driving force behind its success. Her unwavering dedication has played a pivotal role in forging IFAR's strong foundation, positioning IFAR firmly for a promising future. We are immensely grateful for her many years of exemplary service."

Flescher said, "I am proud to have served such an important organization during its transformative years and for so long. I will miss friends and colleagues, but it is time for the next chapter." Dr. Flescher will become executive director emerita.