Please see article below. This could be a major blow to the future of the Met or it could be a blessing in disguise. Only time will tell. Be informed!!!
NEW YORK. Philippe de Montebello announced on Tuesday 8 January that he will retire in December after 30 years as head of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A search committee headed by Annette de la Renta held its first meeting yesterday to discuss possible successors. Other committee members include S. Parker Gilbert chairman emeritus of the Morgan Stanley Group, antiquities collector Shelby White, and real estate developer Daniel Brodsky. Mr de Montebello says that he will have no hand in the selection process.
Mr de Montebello, who is the eighth and longest serving director in the museum's history, said at a press conference early yesterday that he was leaving the museum, "on strong intellectual and financial footing to confront the issues of the future". He has overseen several major renovation projects at the institution including the new Greek and Roman galleries, and will pass on a $2.9 billion endowment up from $1.36m when became director in 1977.
Mr. de Montebello joined the museum as a curatorial assistant in 1963. He became Director in 1977, and was also made Chief Executive Officer in 1998.
In an internal letter sent to museum staffers on 8 January, de Montebello wrote, "It was always my intention to relinquish the reins when the Museum had achieved a substantial number of my major objectives, and at a time when I could still go on to lead an active and productive life". Although the 71 year-old director says he has no definitive post-Metropolitan plans, he expects to work on international museum-related projects. When asked if he plans to write about his 30 years at the Metropolitan Museum, Mr de Montebello said: "I have no intentions of writing a memoir. Everyone is safe".
1 comment:
I say Tyrus Rochell Townsend should take over! The MET would be turned on its EAR!!
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