Philadelphia Museum of Art names Alice Beamesderfer deputy director of exhibitions and collections

Alice Beamesderfer, 60, long associated with curatorial activities at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, has been named the museum's deputy director of exhibitions and collections.

Timothy Rub, the museum's director and chief executive, said Beamesderfer would be responsible for all administrative activities related to the care, development, and documentation of the museum's vast holdings.

In addition, she will work with Rub in the planning of installations and the development of exhibitions. Beamesderfer will also supervise those departments responsible for special exhibitions, installation, documentation, historical research, and related matters.

Popular with the museum's curatorial staff, who see her as articulate and supportive, Beamesderfer joined the museum in 1987. Most recently, she served as associate director of collections and interim head of curatorial affairs, positions she assumed in 2008 following the death of museum director Anne d'Harnoncourt.

In announcing the appointment, Rub cited Beamesderfer's expertise and familiarity with the museum.

"She has proven to be an immensely valuable resource for me during my first year as director, and during the period of transition that led to my arrival a year ago, ably ensured that the development and presentation of our exhibitions and programs ran smoothly."

Beamesderfer said she looked forward to working closely with Rub in building future exhibitions. Her new position, she added, would also offer opportunities to develop "new ways of approaching, interpreting, and displaying" the museum's collection.

In 2001, d'Harnoncourt named Beamesderfer associate director for collections and project support. In 2002, Beamesderfer organized the exhibition and catalog "Gifts in Honor of the 125th Anniversary of the Museum"; in 2007, she collaborated with d'Harnoncourt and Carlos Basualdo, curator of contemporary art, on the exhibition"A Conversation in Three Dimensions: Sculpture From the Collections."

Joseph Rishel, curator of the Rodin Museum and senior curator of European painting before 1900, said there had been "sustained applause" when Beamesderfer's appointment was announced to museum staff.

"Happy, happy, happy," he said, characterizing Beamesderfer as a cogent curatorial voice with a nuanced understanding of the collections and exhibitions environment.

"We're all in her favor," Rishel said. "She's just what everybody needs: a fixer, an alchemist."