Julián Zugazagoitia

After almost 8 years as Director and CEO of El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem, New York, this summer, Julián Zugazagoitia takes over the direction of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, considered one of the most prestigious encyclopedic museums in the United States. As part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of this museum in Kansas City, its directive board has undertaken the job of enriching its important collections and therefore searched for a person whose temperament and broad commitment to art could guarantee an efficient running of the institution. They selected Zugazagoitia to follow Mr. Marc F. Wilson, who last year announced his decision to retire after 28 years in this post. Julián Zugazagoitia spent his childhood in Mexico and was educated in Paris. As part of his distinguished curriculum, he worked as Excecutive Assistant to the Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum before becoming the Director/CEO of El Museo del Barrio. Julián Zugazagoitia said: "I have been honored to lead El Museo and work with the most dedicated Board of Trustees and the most talented, driven staff imaginable. It has also been immensely gratifying to be part of the East Harlem community and work with so many community based organizations. I am thankful to the ever-increasing family of supporters who have made my years here enormously satisfying, and will count myself among El Museo¿s most passionate fans for the rest of my life." His work at El Museo must be highlighted, particularly because it broadened the focus towards Latin American artists under Zugazagoitia's direction, moving away from a concentration on the Puerto Rican and Latino niches of New York. Tony Bechara, Chairman of the Board of El Museo del Barrio, stated that Zugazagoitia strengthened the institution financially and artistically; that attendance has grown significantly and that audiences of all backgrounds are more engaged than ever before. Zugazagoitia led the institution through a $44 million capital campaign and a full renovation, which opened in 2009 to critical acclaim. Bechara also announced at El Museo's Board Meeting of March 4 that a Search Committee has been organized and will immediately begin seeking a successor for Dr. Zugazagoitia.