Thomas B Campbell who is a well known conoisseur of European tapestries will replace Phillipe De Montebello as the Director. This is the rare occasion
when they have chosen a Director from their own curators.Campbell at 46 has been working here since 1995.Montebello will be handing over the reigns to him after having been in charge since 1977.De Montebello approves of the decision and said “the time is right for both my own –and the museums-ultimate transition.”
This is a prestigious position for campbell as it is one of the largest museums in the United States. It has a vast collection of rare artefacts and objects and some of them date back to 5000 years. Not surprisingly, it has a budget of $280.3 million. Campbell takes pride in the museum and says he would strive to “build on the Met’s traditions of scholarship and openness, to ensure that our diverse audiences continue to be welcomed, challenged and inspired in ways that are fresh and relevant for the age in which we live.”
Many people have not heard Campbells name and might not remember him but his interest in tapestries and the excellence of the show he organised has made an impact.
Selma Holo director of The International Museum Institute and fisher Museum of Art’s director says “it was gorgeous’.Campbell aims to fill the gap in the knowledge of the historians knowledge of tapestries and feels they can be used as both vehicles of propaganda and artwork.
