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January 21, 2025

National Gallery of Art Appoints Michele Willens as Chief of Archives

Washington, DC—Today, Michele Willens was announced as the National Gallery of Art’s new chief of archives. Willens has worked in the National Gallery Archives since 2000, most recently as acting chief of archives and previously as deputy chief and senior archivist. She assumes the role immediately.

As chief of archives, Willens oversees the National Gallery of Art Archives and serves as the foremost expert on National Gallery history. The Archives are the primary source for the history of the museum and contain vital institutional records on exhibitions, acquisitions, educational programs, historic visits, and architecture. Leading a staff of six, she is tasked with preserving the history of the institution through its archival materials, in addition to ensuring accessibility to this information for the public and staff. She also oversees the museum’s digital archival repository and management systems, as well as its oral history program, consisting of over 250 recorded interviews that further document the history of the National Gallery from a variety of perspectives.

“I am delighted to take on this new appointment and continue to support the National Gallery of Art’s commitment to public service by preserving its historical materials and making them accessible to all,” said Willens. “Built on the spirit of generosity, the National Gallery is one of the world’s leading art institutions and an invaluable repository for art historical knowledge. As steward of the museum’s past, I look forward to strengthening and aligning archival services with the museum’s mission of public engagement and scholarship, and working with the archives team to engage our visitors and users in continuous learning and understanding of art.”

“Michele has been an essential member of the National Gallery of Art for over 25 years. We are excited to have her now lead and manage the department, and to use her extensive technical knowledge and experience to continue to develop and protect our historical record for the benefit and use of our institutional colleagues and the public,” said Luis Baquedano, the National Gallery’s secretary and general counsel.

Willens joined the National Gallery in 2000 and became deputy chief and senior archivist in 2016. She has served as acting chief since 2024. During her time in the National Gallery Archives she has led the department’s digitalization of over 250,000 archival materials, designing and implementing the museum’s first archives collections management database and developing a digital archival repository for enhanced access and protection.

Before joining the National Gallery, Willens worked as an assistant archivist and consultant at the Smithsonian Institution Archives, the Harvard University Herbaria Botany Libraries, the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections, and the Glenview Mansion, among other institutions.

Willens has an MA in American history and an MS in library and information science with a concentration in archives management from the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science; she also has a BA in English and European history from Suffolk University.

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National Gallery of Art
2000 South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
phone: (202) 842-6353
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