Met Museum President Rafferty to Retire in Spring 2015
- July 29, 2014 21:00
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's first woman president, Emily Kernan Rafferty, announced Tuesday her decision to retire in the spring of 2015. She served more than 10 years as president, overseeing a major growth period for the institution, including a boost in its attendance to 6.2 million visitors last year from 4.8 million in 2008.
She will leave after the Met's September unveiling of a $65 million redo of its front fountains and plaza, funded by billionaire David H. Koch.
Rafferty came to the museum in 1976 as an administrator in the Development department, where she rose through the ranks, serving as Vice President for Development and Membership (the first woman to be appointed a Vice President in the museum’s history), and later as Senior Vice President for External Affairs.
"It has been a singular privilege to work for the Metropolitan Museum,” Rafferty said. “2015 will mark my 39th year at the Met and the 11th year of my tenure as President. Now that the Museum is ready to embark upon a series of new initiatives and a related long-term capital campaign, I believe it should have administrative leadership from someone who is prepared to assume those responsibilities for many years to come and carry them to fruition."
