Smithsonian museum director to move to Guggenheim: ‘a moment of change’ | US news

A museum curator at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington explained: he is leaving It will take over the duties of the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Melissa Chiu He has been director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on the National Mall for 12 years. He insisted in an interview Thursday that his departure was not related to Donald Trump’s efforts to interfere with the Smithsonian.

“Not at all,” Chiu told the Guardian. “The Guggenheim is an extraordinary institution. It is one of the great museums in our field. It was never part of my decision-making process.”

Chiu is the fourth Smithsonian director to leave in the past two years. Stephanie Stebich, president of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, was fired in the summer of 2024 “following years of complaints from staff about her management.” The Washington Post newspaper reported.

Kevin Young, director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Resigned in April 2025 after four years in this role. Shanita Brackett is now an acting director.

National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet resigned in June last year following public pressure from Trump, who claimed on social media that he had fired her because she was a “highly partisan person” and a “strong supporter” of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Chiu was born in Darwin, Australia, and worked for a decade as director of the Asia Society in New York. Since joining the Hirshhorn in 2014, he is known for pioneering digital innovation and expanding the museum’s educational programs.

He raised nearly $250 million and oversaw the expansion of the museum’s permanent collection. Chiu’s legacy will also include a renovated sculpture garden that is scheduled to reopen to the public this fall.

“It was actually a moment of change for a long time,” the 54-year-old actor reflected. “Based on the early days of Covid, I can say that we have overcome all these challenges as a museum with a national mission in the public sphere and a mandate to serve the public.

“Whether it was us being physically closed and pivoting to an online presence, or accepting to inherit a history of art that needed to be expanded by new kinds of acquisitions in the media or from previously under-recognized artists, each forced us to develop a new set of skills to fulfill our mission.

“So today we are in a period of different kinds of external pressures and a very different climate than even five years ago.”

Highlights of Chiu’s exhibition program include works by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror RoomsBreaking attendance records and being called the “Hamilton” of the DC art world. by Washington Post.

“This was a real game changer for the Hirshhorn,” he recalled. “It was a show I always dreamed of. He was one of the first artists I met and I offered him the show and he loved it. Of course, Kusama was known at the time, but our exhibition in 2017 brought a new appreciation to her Infinity Mirror Rooms that wasn’t there before..”

Chiu is scheduled to depart Aug. 31 before moving into the Guggenheim’s famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed headquarters on Fifth Avenue. Hirshhorn assistant manager Aaron Seeto has been appointed to serve as interim director.

Lonnie Demet“Melissa has thoughtfully and purposefully guided the Hirshhorn, strengthening its role as a national museum while supporting artists, scholars, and the public. We are grateful for her leadership and wish her continued success in the next chapter,” said the secretary of the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.

Last year, Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” He accused the Smithsonian of promoting “narratives that portray American and Western values ​​as inherently harmful and oppressive.” In January of this year, the Smithsonian provided the White House with documents about its planned exhibitions in response to a request to share details of what its museums were planning to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.