Adam Levine, director and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art, has transformed the Ohio institution into a model for digital-age adaptation. Over five years, 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, spoke with ARTnews about these initiatives and how he is future-proofing the museum.
This matters because it shows how a mid-sized regional museum can lead in integrating digital art and technology into its core mission, rather than treating them as peripheral. The museum’s approach—blending historical craft traditions (the Studio Glass movement was born in Toledo) with cutting-edge digital acquisitions and audience engagement tools—offers a replicable model for other institutions. The 77 percent attendance increase during “Infinite Images” suggests that digital art can significantly boost public engagement, challenging the notion that such work is niche. Levine’s emphasis on not waiting decades to recognize digital artists underscores a broader shift in how museums define canonicity and relevance in the 21st century.