CHICAGO, IL.- President and Eloise W. Martin Director James Rondeau announced today that after an extensive, international search, Sarah Guernsey has been appointed to the new position of Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs at the Art Institute of Chicago. Guernsey, who most recently served with distinction as the museum’s Vice President for Publishing and Design, now oversees the Art Institute’s initiatives within Academic Engagement, Conservation, Design, Digital Experience, Exhibitions and Registration, Publishing, and the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries.

In this newly redefined leadership role, Guernsey will work closely with Rondeau to realize the museum’s long-range ambitions and expand the Art Institute’s powerful legacy and potential as an interdisciplinary environment committed to fostering inquiry, research, experimentation, and the free exchange of ideas. Rondeau shared his insight into the appointment: “Sarah Guernsey brings more than twenty years of highly respected expertise in curatorial collaboration and content development, scholarly publishing, digital innovations, and design excellence to this crucial position in our museum. Her track record of success, as well as her passionate dedication to achieving our civic and global aspirations deepens the strengths of our leadership team and enhances the Art Institute’s capacity to transform, inspire, and engage.”

Guernsey shared, “The Art Institute is at a pivotal moment as we define and fulfill our long-range ambitions, and I am honored to work with James in guiding the museum’s strategic approach to collections, exhibitions, and scholarly pursuits. I am eager to engage with my talented and energized colleagues—as well as collaborators across Chicago and beyond—to realize our enormous potential as a public, interdisciplinary space.”

Since joining the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009, Guernsey has been instrumental in shaping the museum’s internationally esteemed and award-winning publishing program through her collaborative work with curators, scholars, and artists and her innovative approach to both printed and groundbreaking digital scholarly catalogues. Throughout her career, Guernsey has led efforts to respond to an increasingly complex publishing environment in which digital delivery, advanced imaging technology, and design excellence drive institutional aspirations and expand the museum’s reach to wider audiences. In 2016, she chaired the National Museum Publishing Seminar, the only program of its type in the world to bring together publishing professionals who define best practices for interpreting museum collections and exhibitions through an ever-expanding array of media.

Guernsey earned her Bachelor of Arts with high honors from Marquette University and her Master of Arts in Art History, Theory, and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.