THE JOHNSON COLLECTION OF AMERICAN BIRD DECOYS
Linda E. Johnson is a non-profit leader who is deeply
branches to include hundreds of off-site locations,
committed to public service; a lifelong athlete and
including schools, homeless shelters, senior centers,
competitor, she is a formidable collector who describes
correctional facilities, and even a laundromat. She recently
herself as an “inquisitive consumer of art and culture.”
merged the Brooklyn Historical Society with the Library to
In short, she is a force of nature — though not comfortable
create the Center for Brooklyn History, and has transformed
being tagged as such. She does freely admit that
BPL from a traditional to a state-of-the-art institution,
“moderation” in any shape, is not her strong suit, and she
offering programs in over thirty languages on multiple
is right! To verify her assessment, one need simply look
platforms, cultural events, author talks, and exhibitions —
at the multifaceted aspects of Linda’s rich and well
all open and available to everyone — and all for free.
curated life. The arts have long been integral to Linda’s career and President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), Linda
personal life and her reach in the arts is as deep as her
heads one of the largest, most innovative public library
professional impact. She currently serves as a director of the
systems in the country. During her tenure, she has
Metropolitan Opera. Additionally, she chairs the Board of
expanded the reach of the institution beyond its sixty-one
Sing for Hope and serves as a trustee of the Curtis Institute of Music. Her interest in the visual and decorative arts has
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