Arthur Pearson

Arthur Pearson, Roger Tory Peterson Institute CEO, will retire at the end of 2025 following more than five years of outstanding leadership.

The search for a new CEO is now underway.

RTPI is home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s work. As RTPI’s Board of Directors begins the search for a new CEO, Pearson will continue to lead the organization. The board has retained Disston Search, an executive search firm specializing in non-profit, education, and mission-driven organizations to identify candidates from across the country for this important role.

A Chicago native, Pearson has a background in the arts, conservation, museum collections and philanthropy. Since his arrival in March 2020, Pearson has helped lead the restructuring of RTPI in pursuit of a revitalized strategic plan, “RTPI Rising,” focused on realizing RTPI’s founding purpose as a nature art museum of local, regional, and national significance.

“I am grateful for the support of an engaged board, a dedicated staff and a welcoming community in embracing the fullness of Roger’s legacy. I’m equally grateful for the shared commitment in building RTPI into a strong and sustainable organization to carry that legacy into the future,” Pearson said.

Under Pearson’s leadership over the past five years, RTPI has:

– Presented 25 exhibitions of nature art featuring the work of Roger Tory Peterson and some of the most dynamic contemporary nature artists from throughout the United States.

– Established in-person programs that make RTPI a treasured destination for local residents and tourists from throughout the country including the Summer Soiree, Roger’s Bird-Day Bash, RTPI Plein Air Festival, Holidays at the Lodge, Art After 5, Yoga with the Birds, and Birding the Peterson Preserve.

– Launched an Artist-in-Residence program to nurture the next generation of nature artists.

– Increased access to the Peterson Collection through a searchable, online database.

– Launched a Scholar-in-Residence program to nurture The Spark Bird Project

RTPI officials said the center has seen a 360% increase in total museum attendance, a 100% increase in membership ranks and a 400% increase in individual donations over the last year.

“As we begin this search for our next CEO, we are grateful for the amazing strides RTPI has made under Arthur’s leadership and fully committed to achieving even more of our potential as a nature art museum,” said Will Mudge, chair of the RTPI board. “We are now better positioned than ever to reach a broader audience, increase our financial sustainability, and be a cultural resource for residents and visitors to our region.”

Nominations and applications, including resume and cover letter, should be directed to Courtney Disston at cdisston@disstonsearch.com.