Michael Taylor Hired by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Michael Taylor

Beginning August 10, Michael R. Taylor, the former director of the Hood Museum of Art, will assume the position of Chief Curator and Deputy Director of Art at the Virginia Museum of Art. The VFMA confirmed Dr. Taylor’s selection in a May 21 press release, explaining that he will play a key role in implementing the VMFA’s new strategic plan to overhaul the VMFA’s “curatorial, exhibition, and education departments, as well as library and statewide programs.” Dr. Taylor was selected through a rigorous international search, with VMFA director Alex Nyerges citing Taylor’s “curatorial experience, scholarly credentials and reputation in the international arena” in explaining their decision. For his part, Dr. Taylor appears excited to work with the VMFA, commenting that he is, “absolutely delighted and deeply honored to join VMFA.”

As The Review reported on April 16, Michael Taylor left the Hood under mysterious circumstances. A terse email from Provost Carolyn Dever, sent on March 16, explains simply “I write to tell you that Michael Taylor is no longer in the role of director of the Hood Museum of Art.” Despite multiple requests for further comment by The Review, the Daily Dartmouth, and other local news sources, the Office of the Provost has remained silent on the issue. Some have speculated that his departure may be related to the Hood’s unprecedented $50 million fundraising operation, which is ongoing. While at Dartmouth, Dr. Taylor oversaw several groundbreaking exhibits such as the 2012 “Men of Fire” works of Jackson Pollock. He was succeeded at the Hood by his former Deputy Director Juliette Bianco ’94.