Melissa Chiu heads to Guggenheim as Smithsonian turnover rises

Melissa Chiu , the director of the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, is set to move to New York to become head of the Guggenheim Museum. Her departure from the Hirshhorn is scheduled for August 31 , marking a major leadership change at one of the Smithsonian Institution’s prominent contemporary art museums.

Chiu, 54 , has led the Hirshhorn for 12 years . During that period, she expanded the museum’s permanent collection and raised close to $250 million , according to the details provided about her tenure. Her leadership also emphasized digital initiatives and the development of education-focused programming tied to the museum’s mission.

One of the most visible moments of her directorship was the widely attended presentation of Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms , which was described as drawing record attendance. The exhibition became a signature public-facing success for the museum during her time in the role, underscoring the Hirshhorn’s ability to attract large audiences to contemporary art.

Chiu’s move is also the fourth departure of a Smithsonian museum director within the last two years . Other exits cited include Stephanie Stebich leaving the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the summer of 2024 , Kevin Young departing the National Museum of African American History and Culture in April 2025 , and Kim Sajet leaving the National Portrait Gallery in June of the previous year . The sequence adds to a period of notable turnover across the Smithsonian’s museum leadership ranks.

Chiu said her decision to take the Guggenheim role was not driven by former President Donald Trump ’s past efforts to intervene with the Smithsonian. Her statement comes against the backdrop of Trump’s public criticism of the institution’s diversity initiatives and an executive order he issued last year related to historical narratives, as described in the account of the broader context.

After Chiu leaves, Aaron Seeto , currently the Hirshhorn’s deputy director, will serve as interim director. Lonnie Bunch , the Secretary of the Smithsonian, credited Chiu with leading the museum with “thoughtfulness and purpose” and with reinforcing its standing as a national museum. What remains unclear is the timeline and process for selecting a permanent successor at the Hirshhorn, as no further details were provided.