St. Louis, MO -- James N. Wood has accepted the presidency of the board of the Pulitzer foundation for the Arts. Wood, former director of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum, takes the position formerly held by Emily Rauh Pulitzer, founding president of the Pulitzer. She will become chairman of the foundation's board.
"Wood's wisdom and experience has made him a valuable member of the board, providing significant guidance in the establishment of this new institution," Pulitzer said. "It gives us great pleasure that he has now agreed to take on the presidency of the board and lead us in the next steps of development."
Wood, who has been on the board of the Pulitzer since its founding, eagerly anticipates his greater involvement with the foundation. "I look forward to the
opportunity to help define the mission and program of the Pulitzer at this moment when the aesthetic core of the artistic experience is under such pressure from competing forces in our society," Wood said.
Wood is an acknowledged leader in the international museum field. He was director of the Art Institute for 24 years and during his tenure oversaw the reinstallation of virtually all the works of art in the Art Institute's vast collection. He set standards of excellence in the museum field that are internationally respected.
His involvement with the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts returns him to St. Louis
where he was the director of the Saint Louis Art Museum from 1975 to 1980.
Wood's interest and knowledge covers the entire history of art. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association of Art Museum Directors, and the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Board.
His appointment as board president of the Pulitzer will advance its goals.
"Wood’s professional experience and his enthusiasm for the world of art will greatly complement our ambition to become an internationally recognized place of experimentation," said Matthias Waschek, director of the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts.
As well as experimentation, the Pulitzer aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of art and architecture. With works of art themselves, along with programs, collaborations and exchanges with other cultural and educational institutions, the Pulitzer is an institutional colleague of artists, architects, scholars, students and the general public. Integral to its mission is the visitor's experience of the building, designed by Tadao Ando and completed in 2001. It offers a place widely celebrated for its tranquility and for providing an atmosphere conducive to the contemplation, enjoyment and study of the art of our time.
Wood begins as president of the board on January 1, 2005. For further
information about the Pulitzer, visit www.pulitzerarts.org, or call (314) 754-1850.
