Melissa Chiu, the director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, has announced her resignation to lead the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
Chiu has held her position at the Hirshhorn for the past 12 years. In a recent interview, she clarified that her decision to leave is not a consequence of any political interference from former President Donald Trump. “Not at all,” Chiu stated to the Guardian. “The Guggenheim is an extraordinary institution. It is one of the major museums in our field. It was never part of my decision-making process.”
Her departure marks the fourth exit of a Smithsonian director within the last two years. Stephanie Stebich, who previously led the Smithsonian American Art Museum, was dismissed in the summer of 2024 following multiple staff complaints regarding her management style, according to the Washington Post.
In April 2025, Kevin Young, the director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, also stepped down after four years in his role, with Shanita Brackett currently serving as the acting director. Additionally, Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, resigned last June amid public pressure from Trump, who claimed on social media that he had dismissed her due to her partisan views and strong support for diversity initiatives.
Originally from Darwin, Australia, Chiu previously spent ten years as the director of the Asia Society in New York. Since joining the Hirshhorn in 2014, she has been recognized for driving digital innovation and enhancing the museum’s educational programming.
Under her leadership, nearly $250 million was raised, and she oversaw the expansion of the museum’s permanent collection. Chiu’s legacy will include the renovation of the sculpture garden, which is set to reopen this autumn.
Reflecting on her tenure, the 54-year-old remarked, “It has been a moment of change for actually a long time. I would say dating back to the first days of Covid, as a museum with a national mission to serve the public, we have navigated numerous challenges.”
She elaborated, “Each challenge compelled us to develop new skills to fulfill our mission, whether it was adapting to an online presence during physical closures or addressing the need for a broader representation in our art acquisitions, including media and under-recognized artists.”
Among the highlights of Chiu’s exhibition initiatives was the showcasing of Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms, which attracted record attendance and was referred to as the “Hamilton of the DC art world” by the Washington Post. “It was a real game changer for the Hirshhorn,” Chiu reflected, recalling her initial excitement about proposing the exhibition to Kusama.
Chiu’s last day at the Hirshhorn is set for August 31, after which she will transition to the Guggenheim’s renowned Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building on Fifth Avenue. Aaron Seeto, the Hirshhorn’s deputy director, has been appointed as the interim director.
Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian, praised Chiu for her thoughtful and purposeful leadership, stating, “Melissa has guided the Hirshhorn with thoughtfulness and purpose, strengthening its role as a national museum while supporting artists, scholars, and the public. We are grateful for her leadership and wish her continued success in this next chapter.”
Last year, Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which accused the Smithsonian of endorsing narratives that he claimed portrayed American and Western values negatively. In January, the Smithsonian complied with a request from the White House to provide documents regarding its planned exhibits for the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
