Daniel Keegan, director of the Milwaukee Art Museum, recently announced his plans to retire in May 2016. Throughout his eight years at the museum, Keegan was a tireless community leader, advocating for the future of the museum and the city of Milwaukee.

"Dan’s accomplishments during his tenure have touched every aspect of the Milwaukee Art Museum," said Board of Trustees President Donald Layden. "His vision and tenacity, resulting in the historic 2013 agreement with Milwaukee County and the War Memorial Corporation to ensure the long-term future of the museum, was extraordinary. As we prepare to search for his successor, we will strive to build upon his legacy of community enrichment. And as we celebrate the reopening of the museum’s galleries in November, we realize that the critical repairs and vital upgrades to the galleries might never have been achieved without Dan’s vision."

The Board of Trustees will establish a committee to oversee the search for the museum’s next director, with Keegan remaining at the helm until next spring. 

"Together we have accomplished so much, resolved longstanding facility issues and, most importantly, kept the doors open to millions of visitors who continue to enjoy this great museum and its world-class programs and experiences," said Keegan. "There is always more to do and new goals to achieve, and I do believe the timing is right for me to hand over the leadership to the next director."

During Keegan’s directorship, the museum has presented numerous innovative exhibitions, enhanced arts education and family programming, specifically through the generous support of Kohl's Art Generation sponsored by Kohl's Cares. Beginning in 2008, this was an unprecedented partnership in the museum's history and the scope of investment enables the museum to present centralized hands on learning for thousands of youth and families annually. 

The November opening of the museum’s reimagined Collection Galleries marks what perhaps Keegan’s greatest legacy is: negotiating a historic public-private partnership with Milwaukee County. Through his efforts, the county agreed to invest $10 million to repair the buildings, which it owns, in combination with the museum’s $24 million capital campaign, to ensure that the Milwaukee Art Museum would remain an important touchstone in the community for generations to come. 

"I would like to thank the museum’s Board of Trustees, staff, members and volunteers, as well all the visitors, who have accompanied me on this journey and helped make MAM the incredibly inspiring place that it is – a place rich with art and community in Milwaukee," said Keegan.