The CEO Art Museum Director: Business as Usual?

This essay explores the evolving relationship between art historical expertise and business and administration skills amongst art museum directors in the United States. The first part assesses the profiles of current museum leaders through the lens of “art” and “business” responsibilities and knowledge. The second part studies the development of the profession in the United States in order to place today’s trends into a broader historical context. The juxtaposition of contemporary and historical examples is meant to help analyze the tensions between the realms of art history and of business in American museums as they continue to redefine their role as not-for-profit cultural institutions responsible for their own financial soundness