Lynda Roscoe Hartigan has been appointed as the new director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She is a former chief curator of the museum and most recently served as executive director of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
This appointment marks a significant leadership change at one of the nation's premier art institutions, bringing back an experienced insider with deep knowledge of its collection. Hartigan's return signals a focus on curatorial expertise and institutional continuity at a time when many museums are navigating complex challenges.