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Melody Kanschat
Arts Management Professor

Melody Kanschat, Arts Management Professor of Practice at Claremont Graduate University, is an energetic art professional with broad experience in leadership, management, communications, fundraising, and master plan development. She is recognized for her enthusiastic commitment to the audiences that arts organizations serve and a perspective that synthesizes a drive for excellence with a practical sensibility.
 
Melody was appointed Executive Director of the Getty Leadership Institute at Claremont Graduate University (now Museum Leadership Institute at CGU) in 2013 where she led a team that served over 1000 museum professionals via a variety of on-line and in-residence executive education programs. She retired from the Executive Director role in 2021 and continues to remain active in the program as an advisor and teacher.
 
Prior to joining the University, Melody concluded a 22-year career with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) where she served in a variety of executive capacities. In her final six years at LACMA, she was the President and Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the museum, overseeing a total annual expense budget of over $60 million and a $320 million multi-year capital expansion campaign.
 
Before joining LACMA, Melody served as the Development Director at public radio station KCSN in Northridge, California and the Operations Director for Northwest Public Radio at Washington State University. Melody is a former member of the Board of the Alliance of American Museum’s Development and Membership Committee and the Western Museum Association.   For the past 30 years, she has been active in boards and advisory committees for Los Angeles area arts organizations including Cornerstone Theater, Art Division, Ghetto Film School, KPCC and she has served as a past chairperson for Arts for LA. 
 
In her private practice, Melody provides management and consulting services to a variety of non-profit institutions focusing on leadership, operational stability, fundraising, strategic planning, and capital project development.  She holds a B.S. degree in Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Melody Kanschat