Overview

• The museum announced the appointment with board chair Andy Nunemaker saying Sajet can "unlock the museum’s full potential" and raise its national and international profile.
• Sajet said she will deepen the institution’s commitment to living artists and explore new educational opportunities rooted in the collection and design history.
• During 12 years leading the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, she doubled attendance and raised more than $85 million, supporting capital projects including the reinstalled America’s Presidents gallery.
• She left the National Portrait Gallery in June following public criticism from President Donald Trump over her support for DEI, with some outlets reporting her resignation followed his claim that he had fired her.
• Sajet succeeds Marcelle Polednik, who departed in July after nine years, and brings prior leadership experience at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and museums in Australia.