Kimerly Rorschach, founding director of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, has been appointed the new director of the Seattle Art Museum. Rorschach is a scholar and seasoned museum director, having taught as an adjunct professor at Duke University and overseen a variety of exhibitions over the course of her career. She will be replacing Derrick Cartwright, who resigned in May 2011.
At the Nasher Museum of Art, Rorschach organized a number of exhibitions and national and international collaborations. Prior, she was the director of the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. There, in addition to directing a range of exhibitions, she helped grow the museum’s various collections. She is currently the president of the Association of Art Museum Directors.
In a press release, chair of SAM’s Board of Trustees Charles Wright said, “Kim’s engagement with national and global arts issues, along with her combined experience in scholarship, business management and community engagement will benefit SAM and the wider community immeasurably and strengthen the city’s reputation as a national leader in the arts.”
SAM has three facilities throughout Seattle, including a museum specializing in Asian art and a sculpture park. Rorschach will begin her term there in fall of 2012.
