Adam Levine, director and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art, has transformed the Ohio institution into a model for digital 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. Levine, one of the youngest museum directors in the U.S. at 38, discussed these initiatives in an interview with ARTnews.
This matters because the Toledo Museum of Art is demonstrating how traditional museums can future-proof themselves by embracing digital art and technology without abandoning their core mission. Levine's approach—integrating digital art into the canon now rather than rediscovering it decades later—challenges the fine art versus craft binary and positions the museum to engage new audiences. The 77 percent attendance increase during "Infinite Images" suggests that digital exhibitions can drive significant public interest, offering a replicable model for other institutions navigating the digital age.