After a 16-year tenure as director of The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), Holly Hotchner stepped down from her position. Under her guidance, MAD has been transformed into a significant cultural institution, attracting more than 400,000 visitors annually. Hotchner’s leadership ends on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the museum’s new location. Hotchner wrote, in a statement, “that it would be best for the institution I have nurtured and love to build upon all that has been achieved and move forward into the future with new leadership.”

Hotchner fashioned a new vision for the American Craft Museum by focusing on the interdisciplinary spirit of craft today. This foresight led to the establishment of the museum’s home in 2008 at 2 Columbus Circle, designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture. Throughout her term, she expanded the permanent collection to include established methods of craftsmanship as well as works of art and design produced with inventive new materials and practices such as digital media and technology.

MAD’s board of trustees will begin a search for a new director in the coming month. Meanwhile, the museum has selected David Gordon, former director of the Milwaukee Art Museum and Secretary of the Royal Academy of Arts in London, to serve as acting director. Gordon will take over the everyday management of the museum.