Dec
12

Committee begins search for new AAA director

Liza Kirwin will serve as Acting Director

A search committee has been appointed formed to identify, evaluate and recommend candidates for the next Director of the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art. Kate Haw, director since 2013, will be leaving the Smithsonian for another position at the end of this month.

Liza Kirwin has agreed to serve as Acting Director of the AAA until a new director begins.

Liza joined the AAA in 1979, and currently serves as the Deputy Director with organization-wide programmatic and administrative responsibilities, including the Archives’ exhibition, acquisition, reference services, and oral history programs. In addition to her current position, Liza has served as curator of manuscripts, a regional collector, and an archives technician. She is the author of numerous articles and books about the Archives’ holdings, and is widely regarded across the Institution and the nation.  Her depth of knowledge about the Archives and its operations will mean that the Archives team will continue with their successful, nationally-recognized work throughout this leadership transition period.

Handwritten notes and paint swatches

Notes from Oscar Bluemner’s Theory Diary.
The Oscar Bluemner papers were digitized in 2008. (Courtesy Archives of American Art)

An executive search firm will assist the search committee (listed below), which will be staffed by Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary.

• John Davis, Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research
• Josh Franko, National Collector, Archives of American Art
• Erin Kinhart, Head of Collections Processing, Archives of American Art
• Bridget Moore, Chair, Archives of American Art Advisory Board
• Richard J. Powell, John Spencer Bassett Distinguished Professor of Art and Art History, Duke University
• Deborah Schmidt Robinson, Member, Archives of American Art Advisory Board
• Lisa Sasaki, Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
• Stephanie Stebich, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery

 

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Posted: 12 December 2019
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.