EASTON, MD.- The Academy Art Museum of Easton Maryland announced that Erik H. Neil PhD of New York City has been selected from more than 150 candidates to be the next Director of the Museum. Mr. Neil is an accomplished museum professional who began his career as Director of the Newcomb Art Gallery of Tulane University; he was also an adjunct professor in the History of Art at Tulane. More recently he was the Executive Director of the Heckscher Museum in Huntington, New York where he spearheaded the complete renovation of the museum building, organized a series of critically acclaimed exhibitions, and introduced new fundraising events. He holds an undergraduate degree in History from Princeton University and earned his MA and PhD from Harvard University in the History of Art and Architecture. He also earned a certificate in Museum Leadership from the prestigious Getty Leadership Institute in Berkley, California. Originally a scholar of Italian Renaissance and Baroque Architecture he has also lectured, published and curated in the areas of Modern Architecture, Contemporary Art and the History of Photography. He has frequently led groups in cultural travel. Mr. Neil and his wife Luisa Adelfio will be relocating to the Easton area with their four daughters.

Patricia Roche, Chairperson of the Museum said “We are particularly pleased to have an individual of Mr. Neil’s breadth, experience and capability to lead this strong institution to the next level of accomplishment.”

He replaces Christopher Brownawell, who stepped down in January to become the Director of the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine.

Mr. Neil will be starting his directorship on June 1st, 2010, and will be attending, with his wife, the Academy’s Spring Event- Flamenco-on May 7th.