Jenenne Whitfield Departs As AVAM Director

BALTIMORE, MD - The Board of Directors of the American Visionary Art Museum announces the departure of Jenenne Whitfield as director, effective immediately. Ms Whitfield assumed leadership of the Congressionally-Designated National Museum & Education Center for intuitive artists, creatives and visionaries in September, 2022. 

The Board has further defined a shared leadership structure on an interim basis for the remainder of 2023 and 2024. Donna Katrinic, Director of Finance & Operations, will share responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of AVAM with Director of Development & Marketing Valerie Williams. AVAM’s Founder and past Director Rebecca Hoffberger has agreed to return to AVAM in this period as Artistic Director to assist with curation and also support the further development of AVAM’s endowment. In the coming days, the Board will commence with the formation of a search committee and begin defining the process for the selection of AVAM’s next director. 

Christopher Goelet, Chair of the Board of Directors stated: “After an extensive review of issues essential to the strategic growth of AVAM, the Board of Directors decided to part ways with Jenenne Whitfield as director. While deeply unfortunate, the Board nonetheless appreciates Ms. Whitfield’s contributions over the past year and wishes her well in her future endeavors. In this interim period, AVAM is in very capable hands with the shared leadership structure we have put in place and we have full confidence in the dedicated professional staff who have helped to make AVAM among the most acclaimed museums in the country and the number one tourist destination of Baltimore. We will be communicating further as developments warrant and invite all to experience AVAM’s upcoming Mega-exhibition, “If You Build It, They Will Come”, opening October 7, 2023 through September 1, 2024.” 

About The American Visionary Art Museum 

AVAM is a Congressionally-designated national museum and education center dedicated to intuitive, self-taught artistry. It champions the role intuition plays in creative invention and innovation of all sorts — be it art, science, engineering, humor or philosophy, and especially in compassionate acts of social justice and betterment. www.avam.org