Lynda Hartigan, of Marblehead, has helped shape the Peabody Essex Museum as one of the region’s leading cultural institutions. This summer, she’s stepping down to take on a national leadership position in Washington, D.C.
Hartigan, executive director and CEO of the PEM in Salem, will leave her post effective June 30 to become executive director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum — “the country’s museum dedicated to American art craft and visual culture,” she said.
COURTESY PHOTO / PEM, ALEX PAUL
Her new role officially begins Sept. 8.
Hartigan’s connection to Marblehead spans more than two decades. She lived in town from 2003 to 2020, first serving as PEM’s chief curator from 2003 to 2016 and then as deputy director from 2016 to 2020. After a stint in Toronto, she returned in 2021 as PEM’s director.
“I’ve really enjoyed living in this seaside community,” she said of Marblehead. “And it’s clear the town really supports the arts and history. I’ve also appreciated how the town takes such pride in itself.”
In her new position, Hartigan will oversee a museum widely regarded as holding the nation’s first and foremost collection of American art.
“The collection covers three centuries of American art and culture, an incredible span in terms of time, and a whole range of media — paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, digital arts,” she said.
The museum’s holdings include about 46,000 works
As director, Hartigan said her focus will include “advancing the museum’s core mission and sharing the stories of our nation through art.”
Hartigan said she isn’t too concerned about the Trump administration’s efforts to influence exhibits at national museums, parks, etc.
“I’ve dealt with challenging situations of different kinds and magnitudes,” she said. “It’s always possible to create opportunities for progress, no matter the situation you’re in.”
During her tenure at PEM, she established a major exhibition program, led a transformation of the museum’s galleries and expanded its focus to include photography, contemporary and American art, and global fashion.
She also strengthened the museum’s philanthropic base, guided a five-year strategic plan and helped reshape the visitor experience, positioning PEM as both a global cultural leader and a community anchor.
Jennifer Borggaard, chair of PEM’s Board of Trustees, praised Hartigan’s impact and her appointment to the national role.
“Lynda has been an inspiring change agent whose ability to gather people around art, experiences, and multidisciplinary ideas has expanded PEM’s leadership in creativity, innovation and the visitor experience,” Borggaard said. “We will miss her greatly, and are proud that she will now bring her visionary energy to SAAM and the Smithsonian, our country’s national cultural complex.”
