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BAM's Current and Past Leadership

Two groups of leaders have been crucial to BAM’s success: its executive and administrative staff, and its board of trustees. In the history of the institution, there have been three main periods of governance: the founding years and early decades of the institution when it was part of the Brooklyn Institute (1823—87); the years when the Brooklyn Academy of Music was part of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences (1887—1971); and modern-day BAM. This last period began with the the hiring of Harvey Lichtenstein as President in 1967. It continued with the separation of the institution from BIAS, after which the institution existed under the aegis of the St. Felix Street Corporation during a brief reorganization period (1970—75), and then it became the BAM we know today.

Modern-day BAM, 1971—present

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Executives of BAM, 1967—present

Starting with Harvey Lichtenstein in 1967, BAM executives have worked to make the institution known worldwide for cutting-edge performance.

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Board of Trustees Chairs, 1973—present

Prominent community members have been generous with time and money supporting BAM and, in recent years, raising endowment funds to provide financial stability for the institution.

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St. Felix Street Corporation Presidents, 1970—1975

In 1970, BAM became independent of BIAS. The St. Felix Street Corporation’s Board assumed responsibility for running the Academy during the transition and renegotiated agreements with the City.

Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, 1887—1971

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BIAS Executives, 1888—1971

The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences (BIAS) ran the Academy of Music, the Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum—as well as a broad range of adult education programs.

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BIAS Presidents, 1887—1971

Serving as president of BIAS was an honor for prominent Brooklynites. These men, members of key Brooklyn families, also served other Brooklyn civic institutions, including the Brooklyn Hospital and the library.

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BIAS Governing Committee Chairs, 1944—1966

From 1944-66, the BIAS Board had an additional position: Chairman of the Academy of Music Governing Committee. The men who held this position were all notable businessmen.

Founding Organizations, 1823—1887

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Brooklyn Institute Presidents, 1823—1887

In 1823, Robert Snow founded the Apprentices’ Library Association—the first free circulating library in Brooklyn. This eventually grew into the Brooklyn Institute, which further grew to become BIAS.