HistoryMiami Museum has named Natalia Crujeiras as its new CEO and executive director. She is the first woman to hold the post in the Smithsonian-affiliated museum’s 82-year history.
Crujeiras is starting in her new role on 3 October. After a six-month search, the museum’s trustees unanimously voted in support of her.
“I am deeply honored to accept the position of executive director of HistoryMiami Museum and feel grateful for this opportunity,” said Crujeiras.
“I firmly believe that museums are critical institutions that connect people to place, where we can build bridges of understanding, celebrate our differences and acknowledge our shared humanity,” she added.
“I want to help make those connections and amplify all voices by eliminating barriers of access, such as affordability and mobility, and increase participation.”
Crujeiras previously served as executive director of cultural affairs at Miami Dade College. She will lead a campaign to reimagine the museum and find a new location in Miami.
HistoryMiami’s board chair John Shubin described Crujeiras as a “high-energy change-agent” and “remarkable communicator and educator with a clear vision as to how our history influences and shapes who we are”.
“How privileged are we to be in the business of interpreting the city’s past and present and reimagine a better future,” said Crujeiras.
The museum “holds a robust and vast collection that has countless stories yet to be told”, she said. “As a lifelong history buff, it excites me beyond words to be tasked with documenting and celebrating Miami’s history.”
New CEO succeeds Jorge Zamanillo
“I hope my leadership and vision can spark our curiosity for one another and reinforce that there are more things uniting us than separating us,” she added.
HistoryMiami Museum is a 70,000-square-foot facility offering more than two million historical images and 30,000 artifacts.
Crujeiras succeeds Jorge Zamanillo, who has started his role as the founding director of the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC.
Earlier this year, the National Museum of the American Latino opened its first exhibition and gallery at the National Museum of American History.
Images: HistoryMiami Museum
