February 28, 2014
Yesterday, Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, announced to the MFA’s Board of Trustees his future plans to retire. Throughout his nearly 20 years at the Museum, Rogers—who in May becomes the longest-serving Director in the MFA’s 144-year history—established a legacy of “opening doors” to communities from Boston and around the world. The Board will establish a committee to oversee a global search for the Museum’s next director, with Rogers remaining at the helm until a successor is identified and appointed.
Since his appointment in 1994, Rogers has presented innovative exhibitions, grown the Museum’s encyclopedic collection, enhanced arts education and community outreach programs, renovated and expanded the Museum’s landmark building and beautified the MFA’s campus. In 1995, just months after he began as Director, Rogers reopened the Museum’s Huntington Avenue doors that had been closed since 1990. Fifteen years later, the Huntington Avenue Entrance was restored and the Bank of America Plaza was named. In 2008, Rogers reopened the Museum’s historic Fenway Entrance, which had been closed for nearly 30 years. It became the State Street Corporation Fenway Entrance, a welcoming gateway to the surrounding Fenway neighborhood. His legacy as the Director who “opened doors” also includes eliminating admission fees for children 17 and younger, extending the Museum’s hours to 7 days a week (and among the longest of any art museum in America) and instituting a series of free community days and cultural celebrations. Through these initiatives and many other educational and community programs, the MFA welcomes approximately 1 million visitors annually.
The 2010 opening of the Art of the Americas Wing was a milestone achievement for Rogers, the MFA, and Boston. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Foster + Partners, the addition is one of the city’s most beautiful spaces, featuring 53 galleries and the glass-enclosed Shapiro Family Courtyard. Rogers led a campaign that raised $504 million, of which $345 million provided for new galleries, the Alfond Auditorium and conservation labs, as well as beautification of the Museum’s campus. In 2011, the MFA’s west-facing I. M. Pei wing was renovated, becoming the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art featuring 10 new galleries; educational and community classrooms in its Druker Family Pavilion; and inviting public spaces. Currently, gallery renovations are underway in the George D. and Margo Behrakis Wing for Art of the Ancient World (named in 2006), including the Krupp Gallery featuring Homer and the Epics and two additional galleries dedicated to wine and performers in Ancient Greece (opening in September 2014).
2/28/14 Boston Globe "MFA Director Malcolm Rogers to retire"
2/28/14 The New York Times "Director of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts to Retire"
2/28/14 Boston Herald "MFA Director Rogers Retiring after 20 Years"
2/28/14 Apollo Magazine "Malcolm Rogers to Retire from the MFA Boston"
2/28/14 WBUR "Radio Boston" "MFA Director Steps Down"
2/28/14 WBUR Radio "Malcolm Rogers, Who Led MFA's Expansion, Announces Plans To Retire"
3/3/14 WGBH-TV, "Greater Boston" "MFA Director Malcolm Rogers: 'Excellence For Everyone'"
2/28/14 WGBH Radio, "Morning Edition" "Retiring MFA Director Malcolm Rogers On The Search For Beauty And Meaning"
2/27/14 Miami Herald "MFA Boston director Malcolm Rogers retiring"
2/27/14 Houston Chronicle "MFA Boston director Malcolm Rogers retiring"
Milestones for Malcolm Rogers at the MFA
Rogers marks 20 years at the MFA in September