Dr. Josh Perelman is a distinguished leader with over two decades of experience in building, shaping, and advancing cultural organizations of various scales. His commitment to exploring the intersections of culture and history has inspired his thought leadership in museums, design, arts education, and higher education. His passion for storytelling has inspired the award-winning exhibitions as well as nationally recognized education and public programming initiatives. Josh draws on his double PhDs in American History and Jewish studies from New York University as well as executive training he received from Wharton’s High Impact Leadership seminar and Leadership Philadelphia.
Highly regarded for his leadership, creativity, and integrity, Josh is steeped in the opportunities and challenges that come with operating and sustaining cultural institutions - including building them from the ground up.
Josh led the planning, designing, and construction of the groundbreaking core exhibition that opened the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History's landmark building on Philadelphia's Independence Mall.
Josh has served on numerous board and advisory committees. He currently serves on the boards of the Artwell and the Council of American Jewish Museums , and as an advisor to the National Museum of American Religion and The Lost Mural. Josh has been a reviewer for both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.