Peabody Essex Museum director steps down to lead Smithsonian American Art Museum

Lynda Roscoe Hartigan is leaving her position as director and CEO of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. She’s been appointed to lead the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., beginning Sept. 8.

Hartigan became PEM’s first chief curator in 2003, then deputy director 13 years later. She left in 2020 for a brief stint at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, then returned to Salem to take on the role of director and CEO in 2021.

"PEM had weathered the pandemic as well as it could as an institution, and had been through leadership changes,” she said in a phone interview after news of her departure was announced. “It was turbulent times, so it was important for me to be here and stabilize the museum and create a great path forward.”

At the historic Salem institution, Hartigan oversaw the reinstallation of art and objects in the new, 40,000 square foot wing that debuted in 2019. She guided a 5-year strategic plan and expanded exhibition programs along with the collection. Hartigan also established initiatives for global fashion, contemporary art, photography and American art.

“There is a sense of curiosity, exploration and openness to the world that has been very much a part of this organization's DNA since it was founded in 1799,” she said, “And I am gratified by how I have helped the museum find that in a very contemporary way.”

Shifting her career to the Smithsonian American Art Museum is like a homecoming for Hartigan. She started as an intern there when she was in graduate school and went on to become chief curator before moving to Salem in 2003.

“I feel very strongly about giving back to an institution that gave me so much,” she said, “because it really was there where I understood I really could be a museum professional who could help move museums in ways that really were meant for the public good and the world of ideas and creativity.”

Hartigan added she feels a deep responsibility in terms of providing hope, insight and inspiration for our times.

In the announcement about her appointment, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch III said, “Lynda is a visionary leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to American art, thoughtful scholarship and public engagement. Having begun her career at the Smithsonian, she returns with deep curatorial knowledge and substantial experience that will guide the museum in the years ahead.”

The American Art Museum holds one of the most significant collections of American art, including works from the New Deal, impressionist paintings and contemporary craft. Overall, the Smithsonian Institution encompasses 21 museums. The network’s exhibitions and programming related to diversity, equity and inclusion have been targeted by the Trump Administration, which has worked to overhaul and influence what’s displayed at the nation’s cultural centers. Four Smithsonian directors have left their positions over the past two years, including Melissa Chiu of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in early April.

Hartigan acknowledged it’s a challenging time to be joining the Smithsonian. “I love challenges of different varieties, and I know that my focus as the incoming director of SAAM is first and foremost to lead the organization forward," she said. "So I need to get there and figure out the ways in which that can be successful.”

She added that the entire Smithsonian has a strong dedication to excellence in education, outreach, exhibitions and stewardship of the collections. “I believe, in that context, it is possible to do great work and to find new ways of sharing all of that with the American public, as well as with international audiences. Creativity is a human act and helps us understand our place in the world — no matter how complicated or marvelous it is.”

Hartigan sees herself as an “incredibly positive person” who isn’t easily daunted. “I've had to navigate and weather different kinds of challenges,” she said. “So I’m going to count on my people skills and my desire to have people work together as successfully as possible. That's part of the adventure and the learning process that lies ahead for me.”

As she prepares to depart Salem, Hartigan feels good about leaving PEM in “really good shape,” and she’s proud of her dedicated staff, board and community of supporters. Her last day is June 30. Kurt Steinberg, chief operating officer and director of museum collection services, will take the reins as acting director the following day.