Douglas Druick announces retirement as Art Institute president

Douglas Druick is stepping down as president of the Art Institute of Chicago, a position he has held since 2011. Museum officials said he announced his plans at a meeting of the board on Tuesday.

Druick, 70, had been an Art Institute curator for more than 25 years, and was serving as acting president when he was appointed to succeed James Cuno in 2011.

An internationally recognized scholar and curator, Druick joined the Art Institute in 1985. He chaired two of the museum’s 11 curatorial departments before becoming president and director, and over the course of his tenure he has overseen many milestones in the museum’s illustrious history. The Art Institute was named the world’s top museum destination in a study of TripAdvisor reviews and received the largest gift in its history, a collection of 42 works donated by a pair of Chicago collectors.

In a prepared statement, Bob Levy, chairman of the board of trustees of the Art Institute, said: “Douglas is one of the most respected, thoughtful, and innovative museum leaders in the world. He has made extraordinary contributions to the development of the Art Institute — ushering the museum into the digital age, achieving an unparalleled ranking among the world’s top three museums on Trip Advisor for three years running, and managing the largest gift of art since the museum’s founding with the contemporary works from Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson. His initiatives to place a stronger emphasis than ever before on visitor access and engagement, and on championing global diversity as it is reflected in the museum’s audiences, collections, and programs, will only continue to advance the Art Institute’s global reach and reputation.”Druick noted: “The next chapter in the life and legacy of the Art Institute hinges on an all-important five to seven year endeavor to realize the museum’s long-range plan that I believe requires uninterrupted leadership. I will retire with confidence, knowing that the foundation for the museum’s future is firmly in place and that we will energetically pursue our ambitious vision. For decades, the Art Institute’s life has been my own, but I need now to draw a distinction between my professional and personal life. I am doing so to realize long held plans with my partner and frequent collaborator Peter Zegers to actively pursue new directions and experiences together, here and abroad.”

Druick also said he will remain fully engaged in his duties as president and Eloise W. Martin Director until his successor has been appointed and installed.