Janne Sirén, director of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, will step down in October after 13 years leading the institution. The museum announced his departure on April 29, noting that the board will begin a search for a new director this summer. Sirén oversaw a transformative period including a $230 million campus expansion completed in 2023, designed by OMA and Shohei Shigematsu, which added a new building and reconnected the grounds. During his tenure, the museum's collection grew, staff expanded from 62 to nearly 200, the endowment rose from $31.3 million to $79.3 million, and annual visitors reached 340,000. He also launched a public art department, the Innovation Lab, and the AKG Nordic Art and Culture Initiative.
Sirén's departure marks the end of a pivotal era for the Buffalo AKG, which rebranded from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery under his leadership. His tenure included challenges such as a 2023 layoff dispute with the union and a controversy over a $335,000 home loan from the museum, though officials say neither factored into his decision. The transition comes as the museum has strengthened its local and international profile, and the search for a successor will shape its next chapter. Sirén plans to return to Europe, citing personal factors including his children leaving home.