After naming new director, art museum looks to bright future

Susan Taylor, director of Wellesley College's Davis Museum and Cultural Center for the past 12 years, has been named the new director of the Princeton University art museum.

Taylor will take over the reins of the museum in August, succeeding art and archaeology professor Peter Bunnell, who has served as the museum's acting director since Director Emeritus Allen Rosenbaum retired in October 1998.

Bunnell, who served on the search committee to find a permanent director, said he is "thrilled" and "excited" about Taylor's appointment.

"She has great leadership and insight," he said. "She's very experienced and has been a dynamic director at Wellesley and has proven her abilities there."

At Wellesley, Taylor oversees all facets of the museum's exhibitions and programs and is responsible for numerous works of contemporary art. During her tenure, Taylor served as project director for the construction of the 61,000-square-foot museum building, which includes a cinema and cafe.

Before starting at Wellesley, Taylor coordinated several major exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum. She has lectured and consulted on new museum architecture and design, issues in public art and architect-artist collaboration in the private and public sectors.

"She clearly emerged as our first choice," Bunnell said.

Taylor's appointment comes at the right time, according to Bunnell. "I think the way the museum runs — the way which the various components of the museum run — needs to be seriously reviewed," he said.

"She's capable of making some fundamental changes," he said. "She has shown her imagination and ability in this area."

Charles Steiner, a former associate director of the art museum, said he was pleased Taylor is assuming the post. "I'm delighted," he said. "It's long overdue."

One of Taylor's main priorities will be to maintain the museum's connection to the departments of visual arts and art and archaeology, Bunnell said. Taylor will also work with the museum staff to find ways to integrate the museum into the life of the campus and community.

"She's going to be a major asset to the University," Bunnel said.