Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced Monday (Nov. 17) that Don Bacigalupi, museum president and board member, will conclude his role as president on Jan 14, while remaining a board member.
Bacigalupi will assume the role of founding president for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, to be built in Chicago. That opening is slated for 2018. He joined Crystal Bridges as executive director in 2009, and was instrumental in the planning, collection development, and opening of the museum, which has hosted more than 1.5 million visitors in its first three years of operation.
“Don’s achievements at Crystal Bridges have been numerous, and many of our successes are attributable to his guidance leading up to the opening of the museum and continuing into our highly successful next three years,” said Crystal Bridges Founder and Board Chair Alice Walton. “He came on board when the museum was in its early stages, guiding our direction through the building phase and helping to shape the development and exhibition of our art collection. His expertise in overseeing the launch of new institutions makes him an ideal leader for the Lucas Museum, and we’ll be applauding his accomplishments. We are pleased that he will retain his connection to Crystal Bridges as a member of our board.”
Bacigalupi became museum president in February 2013, when Crystal Bridges announced a leadership realignment to support its strategic plans. The board of directors named Bacigalupi as museum president and a board member, and Rod Bigelow as executive director. Bigelow assumed oversight for day-to-day operations of the museum at that time. The realignment focused Bacigalupi’s attention on the museum’s key exhibition initiatives, namely launching the "State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now" exhibition, which opened on Sept. 13 and has already received more than 88,000 visitors.
"Leading Crystal Bridges through its construction, opening and early years has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and honor,” said Bacigalupi. “I am so proud to have worked with such an incredibly passionate and capable team--of staff, board, and volunteers--to achieve such extraordinary successes. I often say that we've made a good start at Crystal Bridges, and I look forward to the great momentum continuing. I'll be a lifelong friend and fan."