The Philadelphia Art Museum (PhAM) has recently undergone significant changes with the appointment of Daniel H. Weiss as the new director and CEO. Weiss, who previously held the position of president and CEO at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, will begin his three-year contract at PhAM on December 1. This appointment comes after the highly publicized dismissal of former PhAM Director and CEO, Alexandra “Sasha” Suda.
Suda was removed from her position for “cause,” according to an email sent by the museum board on November 4. In response, Suda has filed a lawsuit against the museum, alleging multiple violations of her employment agreement. The circumstances surrounding Suda’s dismissal have not been publicly disclosed by PhAM.
Weiss steps into his new role at PhAM following the museum’s controversial rebranding from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Philadelphia Art Museum under Suda’s leadership. In a statement, Weiss expressed his excitement to work with the board, staff, and stakeholders to advance the museum’s mission and strategic priorities.
Prior to his appointment at PhAM, Weiss served as president of The Met, where he successfully navigated the museum through financial challenges and implemented changes to increase revenue, including a new admission policy for out-of-town visitors. He also managed the museum through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, making budget adjustments to retain staff during the closure to the public.
Weiss’s tenure at The Met was not without controversy, as staff at the museum expressed concerns about long-term pay inequities and job protection, leading to discussions about unionizing. Despite these challenges, Weiss was able to secure significant private donations for the museum and eliminate unpaid internships through a generous gift.
Before his time at The Met, Weiss held leadership positions at Haverford College and Lafayette College, as well as returning to Johns Hopkins University as a professor of humanities. His experience in the art world and academia makes him a strong candidate to lead PhAM into its next chapter.
Overall, Weiss’s appointment brings a new era of leadership to the Philadelphia Art Museum, and stakeholders are hopeful that his experience and vision will propel the museum forward in its mission to promote and preserve art for generations to come.
