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Martin E. Sullivan, the new director for the National Portrait Gallery, was appointed in January and officially assumed office on April 28, 2008. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Sullivan, had served as chief executive officer of the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission in Maryland since 1999. Earlier, he was director of the Heard Museum, an internationally renowned museum of American Indian cultures and art in Phoenix and director of the New York State Museum in Albany, N.Y.
Sullivan has chaired three national boards concerned with advancing museum standards, ethics and practices: the Accreditation Commission of the American Association of Museums; the U.S. State Department’s Cultural Property Advisory Committee; and the review committee overseeing compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. He is co-chair of an American Association of Museums ethics task force on antiquities. In 2006, Sullivan was named to the Centennial Honor Roll of the American Association of Museums, which recognizes outstanding efforts in advocacy and leadership.
He has been a senior fellow in residence at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard University (2003–4) and has contributed many articles and chapters to scholarly publications.
Sullivan received a doctorate (1974) and master’s degree (1970) in American history from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelor’s degree (1965) in history from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.
“I am thrilled to become director of the National Portrait Gallery, and I’m very grateful to Dr. Samper and the search committee for their confidence,” said Sullivan. “In its fabulous setting in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, the Portrait Gallery brings visitors face to face with the array of personalities who’ve shaped our national identity. I like to think of the National Portrait Gallery—both on site and online—as this nation’s Facebook: It is an ongoing conversation about ourselves, our heritage and our hopes.”
Image: Photograph by Marc Gulezian
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CONTACT US
National Portrait Gallery
 Phone: (202) 633-8300
FAX: (202) 633-8243
 Mailing Address:
National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Victor Building–Suite 4100 MRC 973
Washington, DC, 20013-7012
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PRESS RELEASE
View the press release announcing Martin Sullivan's appointment.
 Press release
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