Smithsonian Museum Director Announces Move to Guggenheim in New York
Melissa Chiu, the director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., has revealed her decision to leave the Smithsonian Institution after twelve years of leadership. She will assume the directorship of the prestigious Guggenheim Museum in New York, marking a significant transition in the art world.
A Legacy of Innovation and Growth
During her tenure at the Hirshhorn, Chiu, 54, spearheaded numerous initiatives that transformed the museum. She raised nearly $250 million and oversaw the expansion of the permanent collection, while also championing digital innovation and educational programs. Her efforts included a major revamp of the sculpture garden, scheduled to reopen this autumn.
Chiu reflected on her time at the institution, stating, "It has been a moment of change for actually a long time. Dating back to the first days of Covid, as a museum in the public sphere with a national mission, we have worked through all of these challenges." She emphasized how each challenge forced the museum to develop new skills, from pivoting to online presence during closures to broadening art history with acquisitions from under-recognized artists.
Denying Political Influence
In an interview, Chiu insisted that her departure is not related to former President Donald Trump's efforts to interfere with the Smithsonian. "Not at all," she told the Guardian. "The Guggenheim is an extraordinary institution. It is one of the major museums in our field. It was never part of my decision-making process."
However, her exit comes amid a wave of departures from the Smithsonian. Over the past two years, three other directors have left, including Stephanie Stebich of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kevin Young of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Kim Sajet of the National Portrait Gallery, who resigned following public pressure from Trump.
Highlights and Future Plans
Among Chiu's notable achievements was the exhibition of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms, which broke attendance records and was dubbed the "Hamilton of the DC art world" by the Washington Post. "It was a real game changer for the Hirshhorn," Chiu recalled. "That exhibition in 2017 set a new appreciation for her Infinity Mirror Rooms that did not exist before."
Chiu is scheduled to depart on August 31, with Aaron Seeto, the Hirshhorn's deputy director, appointed as interim director. She will move to the Guggenheim's celebrated Frank Lloyd Wright-designed headquarters on Fifth Avenue in New York.
Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian, praised Chiu's leadership, saying, "Melissa has guided the Hirshhorn with thoughtfulness and purpose, strengthening its role as a national museum while supporting artists, scholars, and the public. We are grateful for her leadership and wish her continued success in this next chapter."
This move occurs against a backdrop of political tension, as Trump issued an executive order last year accusing the Smithsonian of promoting narratives that portray American and Western values as harmful. The institution has since provided documents to the White House regarding exhibits planned for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
