Melissa Chiu is stepping down as director of the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum to lead the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
Chiu will take over as director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on 1 September. In her new role, she will be responsible for providing artistic direction and leading the museum's operations.
Mariët Westermann, director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, said: "My priority has been to build an agile, collaborative leadership team across our constellation while we anticipate opening the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi soon."
Chiu, who led the Hirshhorn for 12 years, has "an outstanding and inspiring track record of leadership in the arts", Westermann added.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation oversees the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
"I am delighted to join Mariët Westermann along with my colleagues in Bilbao, Venice, and Abu Dhabi as we build the Guggenheim of the future together," said Chiu.
"I look forward to ensuring that the Guggenheim in New York remains a place of joy and learning about art and artists for all who visit."
At the Hirshhorn, Chiu's achievements include increasing fundraising by 75 percent, doubling the museum's attendance in three years, and securing two multi-million-dollar gifts.
She has also established new technology programmes, and spearheaded the transformation of the Hirshhorn’s campus, leading the revitalisation of its sculpture garden.
In a Smithsonian statement, secretary Lonnie Bunch said: "Melissa has guided the Hirshhorn with thoughtfulness and purpose, strengthening its role as a national museum while supporting artists, scholars and the public."
Chiu said: "It has been an honor to work alongside the talented staff, artists and partners who make the Hirshhorn such a dynamic institution."
Images courtesy of the Guggenheim and Hirshhorn
