Michael Conforti, the longtime director of the Clark Art Institute, is retiring. Conforti, who’s held the post since 1994, told the institute’s board of trustees that he’s leaving
Aug. 31. “It has been an extraordinary privilege for me to have the opportunity to be a part of the Clark’s growth over these last 20 years,” he said in a statement. “There have been many wonderful opportunities that have propelled the Clark in new directions and have set the course for an even brighter future.” During his 20-year tenure, Conforti is credited with advancing the Clark’s mission as an art museum and a center for research and higher education in the visual arts. The institute initiated a number of international programs, including a recent tour of its French paintings collection, which drew more than 2 million visitors in 12 cities across Europe, Asia, and North America. The institute’s endowment has thrived, growing from $128 million to $357 million, and its art and library collections have likewise expanded. Conforti also led the Clark’s $145 million capital campaign to fund its campus expansion, which opened to critical acclaim last July. “Driven by his creativity, determination, and energy, Michael has overseen a period of exceptional progress at the Clark,” trustees Andreas Halvorsen and Robert Scott said in a statement. “His commitment to the Clark’s role in advancing and extending the public understanding of art has been inspirational. We are deeply grateful to Michael for his vision and extraordinary work.”
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