New directors named for Smithsonian institutions in New York and Washington, D.C.
The curator Maria Nicanor has been named the new director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York – Nicanor succeeds former director Caroline Baumann who resigned in 2020. Nicanor – currently the executive director of the Rice Design Alliance at Rice University’s School of Architecture in Houston – said in a statement: ‘We can’t ignore that it’s a particularly complicated time for museums in general right now. Not just what we do, but how we do it, for whom and with whom, are essential questions for design museums to consider.’
Meanwhile, the Smithsonian has also named Jorge Zamanillo as founding director of the National Museum of the American Latino. The forthcoming institution aims ‘to illuminate the story of the United States for the benefit of all by featuring Latino contributions to the art, history, and culture of the nation since its early history.’ Zamanillo – currently executive director of HistoryMiami Museum – said in a statement: ‘The Latino experience is American history, and I want to make sure our story will be preserved for future generations. This museum will celebrate Latino accomplishments and resiliency through powerful stories that capture the adversity faced over centuries by Latinos in the US and their perseverance to move forward and create a legacy.’
