After more than seven years, Amy Sadao, Daniel W. Dietrich II Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, announces that she is stepping down to pursue new opportunities and personal projects. Under Ms. Sadao’s leadership, ICA broadened its critically acclaimed exhibition and publications program, increased attendance and public engagement, and expanded the museum’s digital impact and reach.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside ICA’s Board of Overseers and a spectacularly talented staff. Together we extended ICA’s bold history as a place to explore the unknown and the poetic, and to present contemporary artists’ affective and political contributions in an admission-free kunsthalle.”

Ms. Sadao continued, “I created and exceeded a strategic plan focused on curatorial excellence, community partnerships, and visitors’ and artists’ experience. I was guided by questions of what a feminist, anti-racist, queer- and trans-embracing contemporary museum would look, feel and act like. It’s only right that a new director creates the next strategic plan. I am excited to experience the next iteration of ICA. My goals now include a book project on art and community and the efforts to redefine the evolving roles and responsibilities of museums across the country.”

Penn’s Provost Wendell Pritchett has named John McInerney as interim director at the ICA.  Mr. McInerney is currently executive director of Penn’s Sachs Program for Arts Innovation (Almanac May 23, 2017) and will continue in that role as he also serves as the ICA’s interim director.

Under Ms. Sadao’s leadership, ICA presented 51 critically acclaimed exhibitions of underrepresented and overlooked artists. Ms. Sadao shepherded 35 publications, among them the award-winning titles Barbara Kasten: Stages and Rodney McMillian. Under her tenure, ICA developed a new department of public engagement and expanded its digital impact and reach. “We wish her the best in her next steps,” said Vice Provost for Faculty Anita Allen, who will chair the Provost’s Advisory Committee for the Selection of the ICA Director. Due to start work next month, the committee will be composed of faculty scholars and artists, staff, alumni and representation from the ICA Board of Overseers. “Penn is fortunate to have retained Russell Reynolds to assist with the search, guided by Laurie Nash and Michael Singleton,” said vice provost Allen.

The Advisory Selection Committee will include David Hartt, assistant professor of fine arts, Weitzman School; Sharon Hayes, associate professor of fine arts, Weitzman School; Michael Leja, James and Nan Wagner Farquhar Professor of History of Art and department chair, SAS; Aaron Levy, senior lecturer, English and history of art, SAS, and executive director and senior curator, Slought Foundation; Kenneth Lum, Marilyn Jordan Taylor Presidential Professor of Fine Arts and department chair, Weitzman School;  Lynn Marsden-Atlass, University curator and executive director, Arthur Ross Gallery; Katherine Sachs, emerita ICA Board of Overseers and emerita Penn trustee; David Simon, managing director and partner at Littlejohn & Co, and chair, ICA Board of Overseers; Julian Siggers, Williams Director, Penn Museum; and Bryan Verona, Board of Overseers, founder, president, and co-portfolio manager, Vanadium Capital Management, LLC.