The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) concluded its 2023 Annual Meeting and has announced the election of its slate of new officers and trustees. The meeting, which was held virtually, included keynote addresses by Heather McGhee, addressing the devastating cost of racism, not just for people of color, but for everyone, and from Dr. Deborah Tannen, author of Talking From 9 to 5 and a noted researcher into how ways of speaking can vary by gender. Members also had opportunities to participate in selected committee meetings, and to attend a presentation by the Mellon Foundation and Ithaka S+R on the 2022 Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey, which includes information from over 300 participating museums. 

The meeting was held January 23 – 25. The virtual Annual Meeting was held following AAMD’s October 2022 convening in Washington, D.C., the Association’s first in-person gathering since January 2020.

The new president is Julia Marciari-Alexander (The Walters Art Museum); she takes over from Julián Zugazagoitia (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art), who has completed his term. Newly elected officers include: Vice President Amada Cruz (Seattle Art Museum); 2nd Vice President & Secretary Stephan Jost (Art Gallery of Ontario); and Treasurer Linda Harrison (Newark Museum of Art). New trustees include:

• Betsy Bradley (Mississippi Museum of Art)

• Andrew Walker (Amon Carter Museum of American Art)

• Andy Maus (Plains Art Museum)

• Simone Wicha (Blanton Museum of Art)

• Andria Derstine (Allen Memorial Art Museum)

• Tom Denenberg (Shelburne Museum)

• Sasha Suda (Philadelphia Museum of Art)

“It was terrific to see everyone and have such strong participation for our virtual Annual Meeting, and I am grateful to speakers Heather McGhee and Dr. Deborah Tannen for their presentations,” said Christine Anagnos, AAMD’s Executive Director. “I also want to thank the outgoing Trustees for their service and welcome our new Trustees and Officers. As Covid-19 continues to evolve, so does our approach to meetings. Our short, in-person meeting in October in Washington, DC was also well-attended and proved that adapting our schedule to fit alternative approaches will work for our members and ensure continued opportunities for members to gather, learn, and collaborate.”

About AAMD

The Association of Art Museum Directors advances the profession by cultivating leadership capabilities of directors, advocating for the field, and fostering excellence in art museums. An agile, issues-driven organization, AAMD has three desired outcomes: engagement, leadership, and shared learning. Further information about AAMD’s professional practice guidelines and position papers is available at aamd.org.