CUNY
After 11 years in leadership roles at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York— five as executive director, and six before that as chief operating officer—Patrick Sears informed staff today that he will retire. “I was given the opportunity to join the Rubin while it was still in development,” Sears said in a statement. “Since we opened in 2004, it’s not only West 17th Street that has been transformed, but the cultural landscape of the city, as well as the expectations of visitors.”
The Rubin, which is located in Chelsea, focuses on the art of the Himalayas, India, and the surrounding area, presenting shows of historical pieces as well as contemporary work by artists informed by that region, like the always venturesome Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Francesco Clemente.
Bob Baylis, the president of the museum’s board, said in a news release, “From the annual Dream-Over, where visitors sleep and dream under works of art, to exhibitions with provocative titles like ‘Remember that You Will Die,’ Patrick has led a team that has not shied away from taking risks for the museum, and visitors in turn have reaped the rewards.”
No successor has yet been named to replace Sears, who said that he will serve until the end of this year or until a new director takes over.