Press Releases & Statements

Last week, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) concluded its 151st Annual Meeting, the first such event held entirely virtually, with programs and meetings spread across seven days, January 21 to 28. Among the keynote speakers were: Kim Scott, speaking on Radical Candor: Creating a Culture of Feedback; Susan Salgado, with a presentation entitled Leading from Within: Building remarkable teams who deliver memorable "guest" experiences; and a closing address by Crosby Kemper III, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), on Museums: The Sublime and the Beautiful.

At the concluding session of the meeting, members voted to approve the slate of new officers and trustees, including Lial Jones (Crocker Art Museum) as the Association’s new president, replacing Brent Benjamin (Saint Louis Art Museum) who served for an additional 6 months in order to provide leadership continuity during the pandemic. Additional officers include: Julián Zugazagoitia (Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art), Vice President and Secretary; Glenn Lowry (Museum of Modern Art), Vice President; and Rod Bigelow (Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art), Treasurer. New trustees are: Scott Stulen (Philbrook Museum of Art); Linda Harrison (Newark Museum of Art); Franklin Sirmans (Pérez Art Museum Miami); Stephan Jost (Art Gallery of Ontario); and Martha Tedeschi (Harvard Art Museums).

“I am excited to work with AAMD’s staff and trustees to continue supporting our members during this complex and challenging period,” said Jones. “Fortunately, I have an outstanding foundation from which to continue building, following Brent Benjamin’s leadership over the last 18 months. During my tenure, I plan to focus my time on continuing the field-wide work on DEAI issues, as well as supporting conversations about innovative programming strategies that will help our members expand the audiences they serve. And, of course, we will continue our ongoing virtual discussions and speakers series, which provide new ideas for members.”

In addition to the three keynote addresses, AAMD’s virtual meeting included meetings of the Professional Issues and Education & Community Issues committees, the Women Art Museum Directors, Contemporary Art Museum Directors, and College & University Art Museum Directors groups, and a government affairs briefing from AAMD staff.

AAMD’s 2021 Annual Meeting was generously sponsored in part by Hindman Auctions.