Director

Committed to innovation, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation collects, preserves, and interprets modern and contemporary art, and explores ideas across cultures through dynamic curatorial and educational initiatives and collaborations.  

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF) pioneered the unique model of a globe-spanning constellation of excellent, distinct institutions that optimize geography, culture, architecture, collections, exhibitions, publications, and programs to redefine purpose, prioritize innovation, and inspire local and global audiences. Decades later, what makes it unique seems prescient for this transformational moment in culture and how we connect. SRGF wholly owns the landmarked and historic Frank Lloyd Wright site on Fifth Avenue, as well as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum are collaborators of, but not controlled or owned by the Foundation and their fiscal activities separate. The Foundation provides guidance with respect to the development of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum permanent collection, its formation and operation, and art, public, education, and exhibition programming. The SRGF operating budget is approximately $75M, the preponderance of which is raised from private sources, a staff of 470, and an endowment of $133.8MM (as of 12/31/2021), of which $112MM is donor restricted. The Board has 28 trustees and is growing, with the opportunity to seat 40 total. Likewise, certain key senior positions intentionally remain open to enable the incoming director to fill as preferred upon arrival.

Reporting to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation will set the strategic direction for and lead the Museum and Foundation towards the realization and re-energizing of its vision, offer, and purpose. The Director will lead the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the flagship institution of the Foundation, and will be head steward of the Foundation’s seminal assets, its collections, buildings, relationships, and reputation in New York and beyond. 

Success in all these endeavors, locally in New York and internationally, will also depend on establishing a strong working relationship with the Trustees to set priorities and parameters. Communicating regularly with the Chair and the President of the Board, the Director must motivate and energize the Board to inspire its active engagement and full financial support. The Director will work with the Deputy Director, General Counsel, and Secretary to observe good governance and best practices with regular communication with and among Trustees and Board committee chairs.  

TO APPLY 

Confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals, and résumés/curriculum vitae can be submitted electronically and in confidence below. 

Sarah James is leading this search with Ryan Leichenauer. 

The Guggenheim is dedicating itself to creating paths that lead to a more inclusive and diverse institution.  We encourage inquiries from applicants who will reflect the plurality of our culture and our global audience. The Guggenheim does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin or disability status.