The National Animation Museum, a planned new museum devoted to the art and science of animation in all its forms, has announced the addition of three industry veterans to its team as it moves into its creative development phase. The museum’s goal of building a physical and virtual museum that honours the animation industry and brings it to a wider audience has advanced significantly with these additions.
David Sieden, VP of cinema partnerships at Disney Entertainment, has joined the museum’s board of directors. With almost three decades of experience in the business, he is a seasoned executive who oversees the planning and implementation of in-theater marketing for all of Disney’s theatrical releases, both live-action and animated.
Kerri Balabas, a senior manager at Universal Studios Creative, has also joined the board of directors. An experienced professional in the industry, Balabas has spearheaded and participated in numerous innovative museum and theme park initiatives worldwide, such as Universal Studios Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Finally, Christine Farris has joined the leadership team as the planning project director. Farris has an impressive track record, having produced touring exhibitions for Game of Thrones and Avatar at GES in addition to roles at the California Science Center and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Her project management and oversight experience make her an invaluable member of the management team. With her planning and development abilities, the National Animation Museum hopes to establish new benchmarks in the museum sector.
Moving the project forward
“We are thrilled to welcome such talent to our growing team, and we look forward to moving the National Animation Museum forward,” says Eddie Newquist, founder and CEO of the museum.
The new team members join an already impressive group of talented professionals associated with the project. This includes experienced museum experience designer Robin Stapley, Academy Award winner and one of the directors of Wish Chris Buck, producer and former president of DreamWorks Animation Chris deFaria, and Stan Kinsey, former Disney executive and the founder/CEO of Iwerks Entertainment with Disney legend Don Iwerks.
Although the National Animation Museum is still in the planning stages, it has advanced significantly thanks to early funding provided by a California State Grant, which was made possible by State Senator Anthony Portantino. With these new executives on board, the National Animation Museum is ready to take its purpose of honouring the rich past and exciting future of animation in all its forms to new heights.
