NEW YORK, NY.- Museum of the City of New York welcomes James C. Horton as its new Vice President of Education and Engagement, a newly-created role made possible through the philanthropy of the Museum’s dedicated supporters. Horton joins the Museum in February to lead the Museum’s educational offerings, public programs, and FAO Schwarz Education Center, which serves more than 50,000 students annually. He will also focus on deepening the Museum’s connections to the varied communities of New York, while providing innovative programming that explores New York City’s historic and contemporary issues. Horton begins his tenure at the Museum on February 1, 2021.

“James is a dynamic, experienced leader who has had great success and shown tremendous passion for building and growing transformative programs and community relationships,” said Whitney Donhauser, Ronay Menschel Director and President of the Museum of the City of New York. “We are thrilled that he will be bringing this creativity and commitment to the Museum to help us strengthen and grow the diversity and reach of our programs.”

Horton joins the Museum of the City of New York at a critical time, as remote learning has transformed educational priorities and educator needs, and as New York City turns toward its recovery. The Museum of the City of New York has already launched a robust series of virtual public programs and a Digital Education Hub, and Horton will develop and refine these efforts, while creating programmatic offerings that connect New Yorkers to history and highlight how decisions we make today impact our city’s future.

“The Museum of the City of New York tells the stories of our city’s past, present, and future, and provides a canvas for supporters, students and educators to dive deeper into the world around them,” Horton said. “As our city undergoes vast transformation, I’m excited to create educational experiences that catalyze change and encourage introspection.”

Horton previously served as the Director of Social Impact Programs for Carnegie Hall, where he formulated and launched many programs for adults and youth throughout the city. Prior to his tenure at Carnegie Hall he held leadership positions in learning, leadership, and program development at the National Guild for Community Arts Education and Harlem Children’s Zone. He has a background in Theater and Communications through Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and participated in not-for-profit management and leadership programs at Columbia University’s Business School and the Shannon Leadership Institute in St. Paul.