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The Met Taps Interim CEO to Officially Take Reins at Beleaguered Museum

By Shaye Weaver | June 13, 2017 3:28pm
 David Weiss is the new CEO at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
David Weiss is the new CEO at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

UPPER EAST SIDE — The Metropolitan Museum of Art has selected a new president and CEO to replace Thomas Campbell, who stepped down in March amid criticism of the way he handled the institution's finances.

Daniel H. Weiss, who has served as president of the Met since 2015, will officially take the reins after serving roughly four months as interim CEO when Campbell announced his resignation, museum officials said Tuesday. 

The Met will also search for a new director, who will report to Weiss and lead core mission functions, officials said.

"Leading The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an extraordinary honor," Weiss said in a statement. "Our museum's collections and professional staff set the world standard for exhibitions, scholarship, preservation, education, and public programming, and as thoughtful advocates for the importance of art in our culture. I am equally humbled and excited to continue working closely with the board and the museum's unparalleled staff."

► Met Museum to Cut Exhibits and Delay Expansion Amid Financial Woes: Report

► Met Museum Director Thomas Campbell Steps Down Amid Financial Woes

Weiss has a doctorate in art history and in recent years served as president and professor of art history at Lafayette College, as well as the president of Haverford College. He was appointed president of the Met in March 2015 and took over as interim CEO in February, officials said.

As CEO, Weiss will be in charge of setting the museum's priorities, and the new director will be in charge of its artistic direction and curatorial decisions.

"The Board couldn't be more confident in Dan's ability to take the Museum to even higher levels of excellence," said Daniel Brodsky, chairman of the museum's Board of Trustees. "His contributions as president of The Met during the past two years have been exemplary, both in supporting the museum's vision and in establishing a sustainable path for our financial and managerial operations."