The Design Exchange (DX) today named Shauna Levy as the new President. Levy's appointment is part of a strategic plan in the revitalization of the 23-year-old DX, which will see expanded programming brought to the museum. Levy will oversee the development of DX offerings, which will include, amongst others, renowned travelling exhibits from prestigious cultural institutions across the globe, a new city-wide cultural component, a greater focus on educational experiences for the public, including youth and adults, and a rollout of programming that will extend across the country.
"As someone who deeply values the role of design in the community, it is an honour to join a public institution that celebrates the cultural relevance of design," said Levy. "Design is not luxury. It is, and should be, accessible and available to all, from fashionistas to families, coast to coast. We look forward to offering unparalleled public programming that will engage people from all walks of life to truly experience design."
Former Vice President of MMPI Canada, Levy, 43, co-founded the internationally-acclaimed Interior Design Show (IDS), which she developed into one of the largest contemporary design fairs in North America. Regarded as a pillar in the Canadian design community, Levy was instrumental in positioning the City of Toronto as an international design destination. Levy has brought some of the world's most creative design minds to Canada, including Italian architect Piero Lissoni, French designer Jean-Marie Massaud, Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, and American architect Joshua Prince-Ramus. Using her expertise in sponsorship and her vast network of contacts, Levy generated over $40M in revenue during her 15 year tenure at IDS. Additionally, she curated all programming for the show and masterminded the marketing and operational vision, which inspired over 600,000 visitors to attend the four-day festival since its inception.
Levy's extensive experience in connecting the public with design will play a vital role in the new direction of the DX. "Bringing an experienced President on board will provide the DX with the stability and the vision necessary to increase the museum's functionality within the community," said Tim Gilbert, Gilbert's LLP, Chair of the Design Exchange. "Our mandate is to promote the value of design. There is no person more capable than Shauna at connecting the dots between design and the public, as proven by the tremendous success and growth of the Interior Design Show."