BOSTON (September 27, 2023)— The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), announced today the appointment of Pierre Terjanian as Chief of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation. In this Leadership Team position, he will oversee stewardship of the Museum’s renowned global collection, manage the development and implementation of an ambitious exhibition program, and provide direction and guidance for all curatorial and collection activities. Terjanian comes to the MFA from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he currently serves as the Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Curator in Charge of Arms and Armor. He will assume his new position on January 8, 2024.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pierre Terjanian to the MFA. Pierre’s leadership within the curatorial field, and across museum functions, is deeply informed by his unwavering commitment to scholarship and the critical issues facing public institutions today,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director. “I am delighted Pierre is joining us at the MFA at this moment, bringing his belief in the role of art and public institutions into our conversations as we continue to build a museum that is reflective of the power of art and artists across time, and is inclusive and welcoming to all.”

A leading scholar in his field, Terjanian is keenly interested in how museums can foster community, dialogue, and understanding through shared experiences and opportunities for reflection. As Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Curator in Charge of Arms and Armor since 2013, he has led one of The Met’s iconic curatorial departments, overseeing a collection of objects from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America; from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Chief among his accomplishments are innovative exhibitions, acquisitions, digital initiatives and onsite programs that have introduced diverse audiences to the world of The Met. Additionally, he has been actively involved with broader institutional initiatives, chairing the museum’s emergency response and reopening task force for 18 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an amazing moment to join the MFA. Matthew Teitelbaum, the Board, and the Museum staff have committed to an exciting vision: making the MFA a museum that puts audience engagement and community front and center — a vision that is bolstered by the MFA's rich collections, its great people, and its dynamic exhibition program. I look forward to contributing my own energy and enthusiasm to this mission, and to making the MFA a museum for all of Boston, as well as an example for museums around the world,” said Terjanian.

Prior to joining The Met in 2012, Terjanian was the J. J. Medveckis Associate Curator of Arms and Armor and acting head of the Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts before 1700 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He is educated in business law, management and history. He holds degrees in private law from Paris II University, a master’s degree in management and entrepreneurship from HEC Paris, and a degree in history from Metz University in France. In 2017, he was a fellow at the Center for Curatorial Leadership, a training and mentorship program that provides experienced curators with instruction from Columbia Business School faculty and leaders in the museum field to help them guide today’s museums and anticipate future challenges.

About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The MFA brings many worlds together through art. Showcasing masterpieces from ancient to modern, our renowned collection of nearly 500,000 works tells a multifaceted story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. From Boston locals to international travelers, visitors from across the globe come to experience the MFA. Through both art and audience, the Museum brings together diverse perspectives—revealing connections, exploring differences, creating a community where all belong.

Open six days a week, the MFA’s hours are Saturday through Monday, 10 am–5 pm; Wednesday, 10 am–5 pm; and Thursday–Friday, 10 am–10 pm. Plan your visit at mfa.org.