Salvador Salort-Pons
The Detroit Institute of Arts has turned to an insider to replace director Graham W. J. Beal, who retired on June 30.
The museum announced Wednesday morning that it has picked Salvador Salort-Pons, who is described in a press release as " an internationally respected curator, scholar and the museum’s executive director of collection strategies and information."
He will become director, president and CEO, effective Oct. 15, the museum said.
The museum said that Salort-Pons has served as director of the Detroit Institute of Arts' European Art Department since 2011, and added director of collection strategies and information in 2013. He also serves as the Elizabeth and Allan Shelden Curator of European Paintings at the museum.
“Salvador’s scholarship, extensive knowledge of the DIA, his international experience and his management skills make him the ideal choice to lead the DIA in the coming years,” Gene Gargaro, chair of the DIA board and chair of the search committee, said in a statement. “His success in overseeing one of the most important European art collections in the country was among the many factors that made Salvador such an appealing candidate to the Search committee.
“Two of our leading priorities at the DIA are: (1) expanding our tri-county and statewide outreach and (2) increasing our endowments," Gargaro said. "Salvador has the skills and experience to lead in both of these key areas. His extensive and intimate knowledge of the DIA’s collections, his interpersonal skills and his relationship with the museum’s current and prospective donor base and other advocates for the DIA will enable Salvador to have an immediate positive impact on the museum’s future direction.”
Salort-Pons said in a statement:
"With the tri-county millage in place and the City of Detroit’s bankruptcy successfully completed, I believe the DIA is poised to move forward in engaging our local and regional communities as well as advancing our international profile. I want to build on our visitor-centered approach, making our extraordinary art collection relevant to broad and diverse audiences. I envision the DIA as both a place for scholarly research and a leader in learning and interpretation, which will provide fresh knowledge, ample accessibility and opportunities to all our communities.
