Adam Levine, director and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art, has transformed the Ohio institution into a model for digital adaptation since taking the helm five years ago. He grew the operating budget from $15 million to $23 million, expanded the endowment by $90 million, and launched TMA Labs, an in-house consultancy focused on data, Web3, AI, and emerging technologies. The museum has acquired digital artworks including NFTs and digital numismatics, established a digital artist-in-residence program, and opened the exhibition "Infinite Images," which traces the history of computer and digital art through November. Levine, one of the youngest museum directors in the US at 38, discussed these initiatives in an interview with ARTnews.
This matters because it shows how a mid-sized regional museum can proactively embrace digital art and technology to stay relevant and engage new audiences. The museum's approach—integrating digital art into its collecting strategy and using digital tools for audience engagement—offers a case study for other institutions navigating the digital age. The 77 percent attendance increase during "Infinite Images" demonstrates that such initiatives can drive public interest, while Levine's emphasis on not waiting decades to recognize digital artists challenges traditional art historical timelines.