Lincoln Center Names New President, Formerly Of 92nd Street Y

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts searched far and wide for its next leader, but all it took was a trip crosstown to find the right person for the job.

Henry Timms, the former president and CEO of the 92nd Street Y on the Upper East Side, will be the 11th president and CEO of Lincoln Center, the performing arts organization announced Wednesday. Lincoln Center officials hailed Timms as a "leader, innovator and thinker," citing his work in starting worldwide social movements such as Giving Tuesday.

"Henry is a trailblazing leader of the highest caliber. His combination of collegiality, digital savvy and transformational thinking will be an enormous asset as we develop exciting new projects, and bring the well-known excellence of the arts at Lincoln Center to the broadest possible audience," Lincoln Center Board Chair Katherine Farley said in a statement."

Keep up with neighborhood events and news by subscribing to the Upper West Side Patch to receive free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.

Timms comes to Lincoln Center with a track record of success in arts organizing. His tenure at the 92nd Street Y saw the organization expand and improve upon programs such as its talk series, the Harkness Dance Center, the Unterberg Poetry Center and the Tisch Center for the Performing Arts.

The new Lincoln Center president also has a gift for fundraising. Timms launched the 92nd Street Y's first capital campaign of the 21st century, raising $160 million for the organization. He's also a co-founder of the Giving Tuesday movement, which has raised more than an estimated $1 billion online since 2012.

"The performing arts transform lives, forge mutual understanding and strengthen societies," Timms said in a statement. "The vision and commitment of Lincoln Center’s board, and the talent of the leaders and organizations on campus, are unparalleled. The privilege of collaborating with these remarkable individuals and of leading this unique institution is an extraordinary honor."

Timms will assume his new role at Lincoln Center in May. Until then, Acting President Russell Granet will continue to work with the board and executives to run the performing arts center during the transition period.

Photo by Robin Marchant /Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images