The Chrysler Museum of Art, situated on the border between downtown and the Ghent district of Norfolk, Virginia, has been a cultural hub of the local community ever since it first opened its doors in 1933.
The museum, originally founded as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences has already enjoyed a hugely interesting history that has undoubtedly helped contribute to its local, and national, status.
In 1971, the museum acquired the extensive collection of automotive heir Walter P. Chrysler Jr, whose donation substantially expanded the institution’s collection to make it one of the most well-known in the southeastern United States.
The museum has grown a lot since then, moving out of its old historic home at the Center Methodist Church in Provincetown, Massachusetts and now sits on a small body of water known as The Hague.
Yet the influence of the Chrysler has refused to wane, with the New York Times stating that the Chrysler collection was “one any museum in the world would kill for”.
Indeed, the museum’s collection contains more than 30,000 items, including American and European paintings and sculptures spanning over 5,000 years of history.

Moving on

However, just because an institution boasts history, does not mean it cannot move on. Indeed, with the arrival of 2016, the Chrysler has begun a new chapter in its illustrious and proud legacy.
The Chrysler Museum of Art’s director, Erik Neil, announced at the beginning of the month that Lloyd DeWitt had been appointed to the position of  chief curator and curator of European art, although he is not due to take up his new position until the spring.
Additional members of staff are set to be appointed in due course, with Mr DeWitt set to lead a team of seven curators, conservators, fellows, researchers, and support staff.
DeWitt has held the previous position of curator of European art at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto and at the Philadelphia Museum of Art before that.
At the latter, he organised the high-profile “Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus,” exhibition and Mr Neil hopes he can bring similar success to the Chrysler.
In a statement to Art News, he said: “Lloyd DeWitt brings a rare combination of scholarly rigor, artistic acumen, and proven experience in organizing important exhibitions. He will add a strong curatorial voice to our leadership team as we chart our course for the future. By selecting Lloyd we have made a statement that the Chrysler will be an active participant in the national and international museum field.”