California College of the Arts appoints Ed Prohaska as chief financial officer

California College of the Arts (CCA) President Stephen Beal announced Ed Prohaska as chief financial officer, effective today.

Prohaska comes to CCA from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), where he served as CFO from 2016, overseeing the organization’s $66 million operating budget and $160 million investment portfolio. As CFO, he was responsible for all business operations, in addition to supervising the information technology, data services, and merchandising operations. During FAMSF’s five-month search for a new museum director in 2018, Prohaska acted as the interim museum director and department head, leading the organization through a period of change and reporting directly to the mayor’s office.

“I’ve been so impressed with the level of responsibility and vision Ed brought to his work as CFO and interim director at the Fine Arts Museums,” said Beal. “Getting to know him through the interview process deepened my appreciation for Ed’s understanding of the important role arts and culture play in sustaining a vibrant Bay Area. An accomplished CFO can have a powerful impact on an organization like CCA, and I’m excited to have him join our senior leadership team at a time when his creativity and vision are needed more than ever.”

“As we search for hope in the face of global crisis, I’m humbled and honored to be joining this beloved private nonprofit college preparing talented, visionary students to become versatile makers with innovative solutions to advance culture and society,” said Prohaska. “CCA’s bold plans for campus expansion, unification, and expanded student housing exemplify its steadfast resolve to provide the best in art and design education in a rapidly changing world.”

“Ed is a perfect fit for our new CFO,” said Art Gensler, chair of CCA’s Board of Trustees. “He understands academia and the art world and is going to be a great asset to CCA. We look forward to him getting started in this very challenging time and helping us through a troubling economic environment.”

Prohaska brings with him substantial financial experience in the nonprofit sector, with past leadership roles at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, and the Newport Harbor Art Museum in Newport Beach. He earned his BS in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas and his MBA in Finance and MA in History from the University of Texas at Austin.

As CFO, Prohaska will oversee the college’s financial health during an ambitious transitionary period as CCA unifies its two campuses. CCA’s San Francisco campus expansion will bring together more than 30 academic programs and disciplines, add new student housing and dining facilities, and transform the campus to support different modes of learning and making. In this position, Prohaska will work closely with the president, Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff, to ensure CCA’s mission, values, and programs are supported by a foundation of financial security and sound business practices into the future.

“As a longtime trustee of the college and chair of the finance committee, I’m thrilled with the opportunity to work with Ed,” said Lorna Meyer, secretary of the Board of Trustees. “His impeccable integrity, depth of experience, and thoughtful leadership will be a great addition to the CCA team.

“Ed’s extensive background as a financial leader in the arts, coupled with his demonstrated capacity and experience in the San Francisco Bay Area immediately impressed me,” said Trustee Ken Novack. “We’re looking forward to having him at CCA to share his knowledge and expertise.”