Museum of Arts and Design Director Steps Down

Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) Director Holly Hotchner announced on January 16 that she will be stepping down from her position on April 30, 2013. Hotchner began her tenure as director in 1996 and under her leadership, the museum's name was changed (previously the American Craft Museum), its public appeal expanded, and its endowment increased. She also oversaw the museum's move from its former location on West 53rd Street in New York City to its current location at 2 Columbus Circle. The new location, opened in 2008, greatly expanded MAD's gallery space and allowed for new educational programming. The Museum of Arts and Design has issued a press release about Hotchner's departure and the announcment also appeared in the New York Times. 

The Museum of Arts and Design opened in 1956 as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts. Its name was changed to the American Craft Museum in 1979 and its current name was adopted in 2002. The American Craft Council owned and operated the museum until 1990, when restructuring established the ACC and MAD as separate organizations. The early archives of the Museum of Contemporary Crafts and American Craft Museum are housed in the American Craft Council Library, which is open to the public.