After more than 20 years at the helm of one of the nation’s leading art museums, Saint Louis Art Museum director Brent Benjamin is stepping down.
Benjamin, who was named director in 1999, has announced his intention to retire in mid-2021. The 61-year-old Benjamin is credited for building on the museum’s world-class renown. Under his leadership, the museum significantly enhanced its collection, increased its exhibition and gallery space with the acclaimed East Building expansion, conducted a record-setting capital campaign, hosted two of the five best-attended exhibitions in its history, and enhanced engagement among diverse segments of the St. Louis community.
“Brent has led the Saint Louis Art Museum through two of the most successful decades in our 140-plus year history,” said Charles Lowenhaupt, president of the museum’s board of commissioners. “He built a world-class staff that has elevated our reputation as a top-tier art museum nationally and internationally, and he burnished our standing as a crown jewel among St. Louis cultural institutions.”
Lowenhaupt said the achievements under Benjamin’s leadership position the museum for sustained success.
“Our exceptional collection and staff, our robust governance, our solid financial foundation and our ongoing initiative to advance diversity under Brent’s stewardship make the Saint Louis Art Museum a highly desirable destination for top director candidates,” he added.
Lowenhaupt said the board of commissioners will now begin the process of selecting Benjamin’s replacement. As an initial step, a commission task force will engage museum stakeholders –including trustees, donors, members, staff and the community at-large – for their input on future museum leadership needs. Based on that feedback, the commission then will conduct a formal search to make its selection.
Benjamin will continue as director through the selection process to ensure a smooth transition.
“My goal now is to advance the strategic initiatives on our agenda, including our most recent diversity and inclusion initiative, as the board undertakes the process of selecting our next director,” Benjamin said, adding, “I want to express my gratitude to the St. Louis community for embracing me from the start; to our donors and members for continually stepping up to provide the support required to advance and sustain our museum as an enduring treasure; to our boards for providing a consistent strength of governance; and especially to our staff, who made possible all of our achievements over these past two decades.”
