Crystal Bridges exec leaving

BENTONVILLE — Matt Dawson, deputy director for art and education and a member of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s senior management team, is leaving to pursue opportunities in the museum field in Toronto, where he has spent the majority of his career. His last day at the Bentonville museum is April 12.

Dawson was hired a little more than a year ago to lead the curatorial, education, collections and library teams at Crystal Bridges. He helped launch of the museum by planning and executing the inaugural gallery installations, the design and implementation of the Experience Art Studio and the coordination of the library and art collections’ move into the new facility.

Dawson has more than 20 years of experience in architecture and museum management. He came to Crystal Bridges after opening the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. In Toronto, he worked for the Art Gallery of Toronto and Lord Cultural Resources.