Toledo Museum of Art Names New Director

TOLEDO, Ohio, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Toledo Museum of Art announced today that Brian P. Kennedy, director of the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, has accepted the position as the Museum's ninth director with a start date of September 1.  Board Chair Betsy Brady and George Chapman, head of the search committee, made the announcement this morning at the Museum.

"The Museum conducted an international search for its next director.  We were pleased to have an exemplary group of candidates presented to the committee," said George Chapman.  "This was a very positive process that affirmed both the Museum's standing in the art world and the desire of many talented people to work with our collections, our staff and our community."

Kennedy has been at the Hood Museum of Art since 2005.  Previously, he served as director of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra (1997-2004) and assistant director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin (1989-1997).

"Brian is well recognized internationally as an exciting young director," said Betsy Brady, chair of the Board of Directors.  "He has a warm, friendly personality, a desire for both excellence and diversity, creative energy, and a love of active community engagement that make him a great fit for Toledo."  

"I am delighted to be coming to Northwest Ohio to lead the Toledo Museum of Art," said Kennedy. "Its staff, collections and facilities are of the highest quality. I look forward to building on its achievement and becoming closely involved with the Toledo community, renowned for its warmth of manner, and support for its distinguished art museum."

Kennedy received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from University College, Dublin, where he received highest honors for his studies in the history of art and history.

Kennedy is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors, American Association of Museums, and the International Association of Art Critics.  He was chair of the Irish Association of Art Historians from 1996-1997 and the Council of Australian Art Museum Directors, 2001-2003.  In 2003, the Australian Federal Government awarded Kennedy a Centenary of Federation medal for Service to Australian Society and its Art.

Additional information, Mr. Kennedy's biography and photographs are available at http://www.toledomuseum.org/about/director

SOURCE Toledo Museum of Art