The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Mass., has appointed Darby English as the new director of its Research and Academic Program (RAP). An associate professor in the University of Chicago’s art history department since 2003, English had served as RAP’s assistant director from 1999 to 2003. He earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and philosophy from Williams College, also in Williamstown, in 1996, and earned a doctorate in visual and cultural studies from the University of Rochester in 2002. He starts late this summer.
English replaces Michael Ann Holly, who has served in the post for 14 years and announced last June her plans to resign in the summer of 2013. Clark director Michael Conforti says in a press release, “Darby English brings a dynamic perspective to the work of the Clark’s Research and Academic Program, rooted in his knowledge of the field of art history-both its traditions and its new critical perspectives. He will build upon the Clark’s extraordinary record of accomplishment achieved during Michael Ann Holly’s fourteen years as director.”
An independent center for study and research in art, RAP is known for its residential scholars fellowship program, which Darby will oversee. His other duties will include managing the Clark’s library and RAP’s events and programming, held at venues around the world.
