FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kansas City, MO / Overland Park, KS — The Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art is pleased to announce that Philanthropist and current KCJMCA Board Vice President Mrs. Regina Kort will succeed Larry Meeker as the new President of the organization, beginning in January 2010.

KCJMCA ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT IN 2010

Regina Kort takes the helm of the Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art in 2010, replacing outgoing President Larry Meeker who completed his term in 2009. Born and raised in Kansas City, and living in Leawood, KS, Kort joined the KCJMCA Board in 2004 and previously served as Vice President for two years. (Past Presidents of KCJMCA include Sall Kass, Michael Klein, Hugh Merrill, and Founders Sybil and Norman Kahn.) Kort joins the KCJMCA at the start of the Epsten Gallery’s 10th anniversary season, and in advance of KCJMCA’s 20th anniversary in 2011.

“We are thrilled to have Regina step forward as our new President. Her dynamic energy and commitment to this organization has been and continues to be a tremendous asset. I cannot think of a better person for the job,” says KCJMCA Executive Director Eileen Garry. "Larry Meeker has also been a true inspiration during his term as President, and he leaves a great legacy as a Past President. We are delighted that he will continue to serve on our board."

In addition to her post at KCJMCA, Regina Kort remains active throughout the community, serving on the Board of Medical Missions as well as the Board of UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. She is also a second-generation Speaker for the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, a Member of the Seat Naming Committee for the forthcoming Kauffman Performing Arts Center, and a Member of Beth Torah Synagogue. Previously, Kort also served on the Board of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Hadassah. She is married to William Kort with three children and two grandchildren.

Established in 1991, the purpose of Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art (KCJMCA) is to provide innovative art exhibitions and related programming that engage seniors and diverse audiences from all segments of our community to enrich lives and celebrate our common humanity through art. KCJMCA realizes this goal through two projects: The Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom and through partnerships with local, regional and national institutions that engage in KCJMCA’s Museum Without Walls exhibition program.