BMA names 2 interim co-directors to lead organization after Bedford leaves – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – The Baltimore Museum of Art has appointed two senior executives as interim co-directors following the departure of director Christopher Bedford in June.

Christine Dietze, CEO of the BMA, and Dr. Asma Naeem, The Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown, Executive Directors, will guide the organization after Bedford leaves on June 3 to lead the Bao San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, said the trustees’ council.

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Dietze and Naeem will maintain their current roles and work with executive staff to develop new special exhibitions, programs and projects.

“On behalf of the board, I count on Chris and Asma to lead the BMA during this transitional period as we work to identify the museum’s next director. In their current positions, they have played an essential role in guiding the operations and artistic vision of the BMA and are ready to continue to support our employees in their vital work to serve. our community,” said James D. Thornton, Vice President of the BMA Board of Directors. “The BMA has set ambitious goals based on diversity and equity, academic rigor and community engagement, and we look forward to continuing to achieve those goals under our leadership. of Chris and Asma as well as in the future.”

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Under Bedford, who joined BMA in 2016the museum has taken bold steps to diversify its collection, including purchasing only women’s works in 2020.

His decision to leave was announced on 9 February.

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The council said Dietze and Neem were “indispensable” parts of the BMA’s mission to put “fairness and artistic excellence at the core of the museum.”