Smithsonian Names José A. Ortiz Chief Administrator of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Media only:
Gabriel M. Einsohn (202) 633-2822, einsohng@si.edu
Public only:
www.hirshhorn.si.edu (202) 633-1000
The Smithsonian Institution has appointed José A. Ortiz to the position of chief administrator of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. As chief administrator at the Hirshhorn, Ortiz will manage building operations, human resources, contracts and all financial matters of the museum. For the last nine years, Ortiz was manager for administration at The Cloisters, the branch of New York’s Metropolitan Museum that is devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. At The Cloisters, he was responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the museum and its gardens. Ortiz also worked at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York; Artists Space, also in New York, and Citibank.
“José’s experience at The Cloisters, as well as his former employment by the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum, makes him a tremendous asset to the Hirshhorn,” said Olga Viso, Hirshhorn director.
Ortiz has extensive experience in arts administration and a solid background in museum management, as well as in the area of visitor services. He has served on a number of committees, including the National Program Committee of the American Association of Museums; the Multicultural Audience Development Initiative Committee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art; the AAM Diversity Coalition Fellowship Committee and many others. Ortiz presently serves on the board of the American National Committee of the International Council of Museums. He has a bachelor’s degree in business from Pace University and a master’s degree from New York University, where he also earned a professional certificate in museum studies.
The Hirshhorn is the Smithsonian’s museum of international modern and contemporary art and is located at Independence Avenue and Seventh Street S.W. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25), and admission is free.
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