Cleveland Museum of Art director David Franklin has resigned for personal reasons, effective immediately. He took the helm of the museum just three years ago and leaves months from completion of a $350 million capital campaign.

Franklin cited a desire to "spend more time on research and writing" as his reason for departing.

The museum's expansion and renovation project, called the largest cultural project in Ohio history, is $97 million from its $350 million goal.

Museum director and donor Fred Bidwell will act as interim director. An executive search firm will be hired to find a new director.