Smithsonian museum director to move to Guggenheim: 'a moment of change'
Source: The Guardian
Thu 9 Apr 2026 20.12 EDT
Last modified on Fri 10 Apr 2026 08.55 EDT
A museum director at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington has announced that she is leaving to take over at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Melissa Chiu has been director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on the National Mall for 12 years.
In an interview on Thursday, she insisted that her departure is 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 major museums in our field. It was never part of my decision-making process.”
Chiu becomes the fourth Smithsonian director to leave over the past two years. Stephanie Stebich, who was head of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, was removed in summer 2024 “following years of complaints from staff about her management”, the Washington Post newspaper reported.
Kevin Young, the director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, stepped down in April 2025 after four years in the role. Shanita Brackett is now the acting director. Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, resigned in June last year following public pressure from Trump, who claimed on social media he had fired her because she was “a highly partisan person” and “strong supporter” of diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/09/smithsonian-museum-director-move-guggenheim
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