Heather Arnet appointed new Executive Director & CEO

Museum Search & Reference is pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Arnet to be the next Executive Director & CEO of The Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, Long Island, New York. Robin T. Hadley, Chair of the Board said, “Heather brings a wealth of leadership experience, innovative thinking, and community engagement to the Museum. We are fortunate to be adding someone of her caliber to The Heckscher Museum.” Arnet will join the Museum in June 2022.

Dr. Maura Reilly named as Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Maura Reilly as the next Director of the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Reilly was selected after a national search led by Lora Urbanelli, a Senior Search Consultant at Museum Search & Reference.

Andy Schlauch named Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that Andy Schlauch has joined The Cafesjian Art Trust (CAT) as its first Executive Director to spearhead creation of a new museum in the Twin Cities area featuring studio glass sculpture. Schlauch brings over 15 years’ experience in the art world, most recently having directed the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Art Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. Museum Search & Reference guided the search, with Scott Stevens as lead consultant.

Chris Timm appointed Executive Director

The Maine Maritime Museum’s search committee voted unanimously to offer Chris Timm the position as the museum’s new Executive Director after an extensive nationwide search led by Museum Search & Reference senior search consultant Scott Stevens.

James Pearson named Executive Director

After a national search led by Museum Search & Reference senior search consultant Dan Keegan, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum announced the appointment of James Pearson as the next Executive Director, replacing Lee Carol Giduz, who will retire in late July.

Brett Abbott named Director/CEO

We are pleased to announce that Brett Abbott has been appointed the Director/CEO of the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT. Abbott was selected after a national search led by Lora Urbanelli, Senior Search Consultant at Museum Search & Reference. He joins the Museum in mid-February.

Jesse Erickson, PhD, named Astor Curator and Department Head, Printed Books and Bindings

We are pleased to announce that Jesse R. Erickson, PhD, has been named the new Astor Curator and Department Head, Printed Books and Bindings at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Museum Search & Reference guided the national search, with Connie Rosemont as lead consultant. Dr. Erickson will steward a collection that ranges from the earliest printed ephemera to important contemporary first editions. The Morgan’s holdings encompass numerous high points in the history of printing, often exemplified by a lone surviving copy. Dr. Erickson, who will assume his post in January 2022, will succeed Dr. John Bidwell, who served in the position since 1999 and retired last month.

Margarita Karasoulas named Curator of Art

We are pleased to announce that Margarita Karasoulas, Ph.D. has been appointed the Curator of Art at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT. Formerly the Assistant Curator of American Art at the Brooklyn Museum, Karasoulas will be responsible for organizing exhibitions of major historic and contemporary artists, building the permanent collection, and collaborating to create new paradigms and presentations that support the Bruce’s mission. She joined the Museum in late November at an exciting and historical moment of expansion and change and will be immediately engaged in preparations for the inaugural exhibitions that will open the newly expanded Museum, doubling the size of the existing building, in late 2022.