Marcelle Polednik, who has led the Milwaukee Art Museum since 2016, will be stepping down from her position as the Donna and Donald Baumgartner Director effective July 31. The museum announced the news in a statement released on May 14. The search for Polednik’s successor will be led by MAM board vice president and chairman-elect Andy Nunemaker, with the assistance of the firm Russell Reynolds Associates.
“Leading the Milwaukee Art Museum has been an extraordinary honor, but I believe the time has come for new leadership to guide its next chapter,” Polednik said in the statement. “I’m immensely proud of what we’ve built over the past nine years, and confident that the museum is on a strong path forward — artistically, operationally, and financially.”
During her tenure, Polednik guided the museum through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the addition of 3,100 works of art to its permanent collection. She also managed the financial aspects of running the institution, securing significant donations.
New museum leadership transition
This included a $3.54 million gift from an anonymous donor to support youth and family programs, and to make admission free for children 12 and younger starting in 2024. Before joining the Milwaukee Art Museum, Polednik was the director and chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville at the University of North Florida.
She holds a doctorate in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University. Born in Poland, Polednik grew up in Czechoslovakia, Los Angeles, and Deerfield, Illinois. She has not indicated if she will be taking a job or position elsewhere after leaving the Milwaukee Art Museum.
The museum has already begun an international search for a new director to succeed Polednik. The Milwaukee Art Museum looks ahead to new leadership as it continues to navigate its financial and operational challenges while aiming for artistic growth and innovation.
