Manhattan gallery director Jeffrey Deitch was unanimously appointed as director for the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art on Monday.
"Jeffrey Deitch is the perfect fit for MOCA New, and he has the vision and energy to make the museum the world's preeminent contemporary arts institution," said Board Co-Chair Maria Bell. "Jeffrey lives, eats, sleeps, and breathes art. He is passionate about contemporary art and is committed to the future of MOCA."
Deitch will succeed Charles E. Young, who was serving as MOCA's chief executive officer. The museum's former director, Jeremy Strick, resigned in December 2008.
"Deitch, 57, is one of New York’s leading gallerists, specializing in modern and contemporary art, and he has a 30-year career as an independent curator who has produced innovative exhibitions at museums and galleries around the world. As an art advisor to some of the world’s leading institutional and private collectors, he has helped build a number of major international contemporary art collections," according to a MOCA news release.
His appointment is considered non-traditional by some in the art world, the Wall Street Journal reported:
It is unusual in the art world for a private-sector gallery owner to move over to the museum world. His appointment raises questions about how he would juggle his commercial interests with his new, more public role.
Deitch will begin the position on June 1.
