RISD Museum names new director – Tsugumi Maki

The RISD Museum announced the appointment of Tsugumi Maki as its director effective October 10. Maki, who brings 25 years of experience in the museum field, is currently the chief exhibitions and collections officer at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). 

“We look forward with great excitement to working with incoming RISD Museum Director Tsugumi Maki. We believe her experience, creativity and dedication to learning make her a perfect fit to carry on the great work of the museum, while at the same time preparing us for the urgencies of the future. On behalf of the museum and all its supporters we welcome Tsugumi to the RISD Museum family!” —Bob DiMuccio, chair of the RISD Museum Board of Governors 

As chief exhibitions and collections officer at SFMOMA, Maki oversees exhibitions, collection and design programs contributing to the museum’s continued status as a global leader in the art world. During her tenure she overhauled SFMOMA’s exhibitions development strategy, resulting in “captivating and groundbreaking art experiences for visitors”.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tsugumi to RISD as our next museum director. During our search process, I was struck by her expertise, her inclusive and collaborative leadership style and her deep knowledge and experience at institutions we admire. In addition to extensive experience in the museum field, Tsugumi brings an artist’s eye to her work and a deep appreciation for makers that will be an added benefit to the RISD Museum.” —RISD President Crystal Williams

Prior to joining SFMOMA, Maki served as chief operating officer at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, where she focused on strengthening the museum’s institutional infrastructure. She also was associate director of operations and collections management at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, overseeing all collections and operational activities. Previous to Wellesley, Maki spent nearly 20 years at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, most recently serving as the head of gallery planning. While at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Maki played a key role in developing major expansion projects such as the Art of the Americas Wing and the Linde Family Wing galleries.

Maki holds an MFA from Tufts University/School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and a BS in Cinema & Photography from Ithaca College.

“I am honored to step into the role of director at the RISD Museum, a place teeming with creativity and talent. Our shared goal is to continuously challenge conventional museum experiences, fostering a space where visitors not only observe art, but actively engage with it. I am excited to collaborate with the incredible RISD team and explore innovative pathways that amplify creativity, inspire learning, and nurture an even more inclusive and vibrant community.” —Tsugumi Maki, incoming director of the RISD Museum

From RISD’s announcement: “Maki is taking the helm at the RISD Museum at a crucial moment in which art, design and creative thinking are ascending as essential tools for shaping more livable futures. RISD is an institution that bears the responsibility to nurture and develop a burgeoning generation of thoughtful, empathetic, inspired future leaders. As such, RISD is committed to confronting complex issues, developing and socializing new ideas and cultivating multi-polar canons that de-center Europe and the United States, and to creating a more just, fair and sustainable society. As the RISD Museum’s director, Maki joins RISD’s institutional commitment to confront racism and other injustices in their many forms, and will lead the museum in fulfilling its mission to acquire, preserve, exhibit and interpret works of art and design representing diverse cultures, overseeing the growth and evolution of the museum’s collection. She will also lead and support an active exhibition and public programming schedule of the highest quality that seeks to offer an expanded view of artists, making and history, embracing the RISD Museum’s potential in unifying our community and enacting positive change. 

Maki succeeds Sarah Ganz Blythe, who has served as the museum’s interim director since December 2020. Ganz Blythe joined the RISD Museum in 2009 as director of education and in 2014 became deputy director for exhibitions, education and programs, a role she has continued to hold as interim director and will return to upon Maki’s arrival.

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