Story perspectives

Melissa Chiu Appointed Guggenheim Director After Hirshhorn Success

4/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Melissa Chiu has been appointed director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, starting September 1.
Chiu leaves the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., after more than a decade.
She is the fourth Smithsonian museum director to depart in two years amid changes under the Trump administration.
Chiu called the decision a "dream job" and noted she raised nearly $250 million and expanded the Hirshhorn's board to include international members.

History

Historical Context

The Trump administration's 2017 budget proposal aimed to cut the National Endowment for the Arts by 50%, threatening institutions like the Hirshhorn Museum. Melissa Chiu, appointed in 2014, exemplified resilience, raising $250 million and increasing attendance by 28% by 2018. This reflects broader shifts in museum leadership, with four directors leaving Smithsonian institutions in just two years, highlighting the need for adaptive leadership in American culture.

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Story summary

Melissa Chiu has been appointed director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, starting September 1.
Chiu leaves the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., after more than a decade.
She is the fourth Smithsonian museum director to depart in two years amid changes under the Trump administration.
Chiu called the decision a "dream job" and noted she raised nearly $250 million and expanded the Hirshhorn's board to include international members.

1 / 2