May
06

John Davis is leaving the Smithsonian

Davis, Interim Director of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, last day with the Smithsonian is May 14.

Portrait of Davis in art gallery
John Davis, Interim Director of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. (Photo by Jim Gipe)

Davis has been named President and CEO of Historic Deerfield, Inc. in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

For more than a year, Davis has been leading and transitioning Cooper Hewitt. During this time, he has brought a much-needed calm and steady hand to the museum, staff, and community. At a time of critical need, he has helped the organization navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and positioned it strongly for future leadership. The CHSDM staff is grateful for his leadership, warmth, and understanding during the past 15 months.

“I would like to thank John for his years of leadership and service to the Institution,” said Kevin Gover, Under Secretary for Museums and Culture. “A new Acting Director for Cooper Hewitt will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please join me in thanking John for his service and wishing him much continued success.”

Beginning in July 2017, Davis served as Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research. During his tenure as Provost, he launched and co-chaired the American Women’s History Initiative. He also led the Institution’s Open Access initiative, which has made more than three million Smithsonian objects available to anyone, anywhere in the world. In addition to AWHI and Open Access, he was a real champion of One Smithsonian, creating initiatives such as the Summer Solstice celebration and the Smithsonian Year of Music. As Provost, he also led the search committees that resulted in the hiring of directors of the National Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, Anacostia Community Museum, the Freer and Sackler Galleries, and the National Zoo.

I would like to thank John for his years of leadership and service to the Institution. A new Acting Director for Cooper Hewitt will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please join me in thanking John for his service and wishing him much continued success.

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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.