DE222 Honoree: Leslie Shaffer

Title: Executive Director

Leslie Shaffer

Workplace: The Delaware Contemporary

Alma Maters: University of Pittsburgh, John F. Kennedy University

Boards: Riverfront Wilmington Business Improvement District

Q&A: Favorite thing about Delaware? “The diversity of arts organizations.”

Leslie Shaffer came to the 44-year-old Delaware Contemporary, the state’s only contemporary art museum, in 2017 after having led Artspace in New Haven, Conn., and the Contemporary Museum in Baltimore. While she initially led the museum’s programs and public engagement, she was promoted to its top job just two years later. The Contemporary houses seven galleries, 26 artist studios, an auditorium, a classroom, and more, offering resources to the community to learn about and practice their art. Shaffer has also committed the Contemporary to support underrepresented artists through a new DE&I action plan and has exhibited many local artists in recent years.