The Metropolitan Museum of Art has chosen Max Hollein to succeed Thomas Campbell as the institution’s director, following a search of more than a year.
Max Hollein is currently the director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco. He was elected to his new position by the Metropolitan Museum of Art board of trustees yesterday after Thomas Campbell resigned as director in February 2017. Hollein will take up the new role in the summer.
Hollein beginning his career at the Guggenheim Museum, New York where was chief of staff and executive assistant to the director. He went on to serve as director and CEO of three of Germany’s most prestigious art institutions, including the Städel Museum in Frankfurt.
A press release from the Met describes Hollein as “an accomplished curator and museum leader” who “has demonstrated exceptional skill at building collections, diversifying audiences, and broadening institutional development”.
“The board of trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Max Hollein as the 10th director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” said Daniel Brodsky, chairman of the board.
“He is an innovative and inspiring museum leader and has a proven record of building collections and organising outstanding exhibitions. His knowledge of and passion for art is expansive and we have great confidence that he will develop a shared vision and a strong collaboration with our extraordinary curators, conservators, programme leaders and supporters.”
As director, Hollein will report to the Met’s president and CEO, Dan Weiss. His appointment follows a yearlong search that saw around 100 candidates nominated for the post.
Weiss said: “Max is a gifted leader and is exceptionally well qualified to serve as our next director. I am confident that ours will be a strong and fruitful partnership, and that Max will help advance the Met’s role as a global leader for culture and the arts.”
Hollein will be responsible for the artistic vision and leadership of the museum and its collection of nearly 2 million objects spanning 5,000 years. He will have oversight of the Met’s curatorial, conservation and scientific research departments as well as its exhibition and acquisition activities, education and public outreach and more.
“I am deeply honoured to work for this great institution and very much look forward to collaborating with its esteemed staff, the board of trustees, and Dan Weiss,” Hollein said.
“The Met is recognised around the world as a leader in the museum field by virtue of its exceptional collection, groundbreaking scholarship, and educational outreach. Founded on the idea of bringing the cultures of the world to one place, the Met remains a unique place where visitors can experience firsthand the artistic achievements of humankind.”
