Harrity named Art Museum president

Gail Harrity, chief operating officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art since 1997, has been named its president, Timothy Rub, museum director and chief executive, announced yesterday.

Harrity served as interim chief executive for more than a year, since the death of Anne d'Harnoncourt, while the museum's board of trustees searched for a new director.

Rub, former director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, formally succeeded d'Harnoncourt last month. The board confirmed Harrity's appointment as president and chief operating officer at a meeting Thursday.

In making the appointment, Rub cited Harrity's work over the last decade and said he held the "expectation that she will continue to work closely with me."

H.F. Gerry Lenfest, whose board chairmanship was renewed at the Thursday meeting, said Harrity's appointment ensured that the museum was "well-positioned to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

Perhaps the biggest long-range challenge involves the museum's proposed $500 million-plus underground expansion. Harrity said "a project of that magnitude" required the close involvement of many people; she expects to work with Rub as the project unfolds.

"It's an extraordinary project and my hope will be that we complement each other like Anne and I complemented each other," Harrity said. She added that she would be taking on new responsibilities in development and fund-raising, among other things.

"There are challenges that lie ahead for all not-for-profit organizations. The museum is no exception," she said. "There's a recognition that the museum needs efforts on all fronts."

Harrity, 58, is the first president of the museum since the departure of Robert Montgomery Scott at the end of 1996.