Philadelphia, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) announced that on the heels of PAFA's nationwide search for its next President & CEO, it has paused the Edna S. Tuttleman Director of the Museum position to reimagine its work post-pandemic.

The former incumbent, Brooke Davis Anderson’s last day of employment at PAFA was May 21, 2021.  Ms. Anderson said, “I am proud of how my colleagues worked with me to reimagine an American art story in our museum, for our audiences:  an expansive and exciting story that celebrates women, artists of color, and new geographic borders.  As I return to New York City, I look forward to watching from afar the contributions PAFA will continue to make in the arts.”

“We thank Brooke for her many contributions to our museum and PAFA as a whole.  We are grateful for Brooke’s leadership.,” said Kevin Donohoe, Chair of PAFA’s Board of Trustees.

Mr. Donohoe shared that “PAFA is reevaluating all core functions and reexploring the strategic positioning of our Museum, College, Public Programs and Community Engagement as we look to fully reopening and re-engaging with our audience.”

In order to ensure the continuity of all museum work, Dr. Anna Marley, currently the Kenneth R. Woodcock Curator of Historical American Art & Director of the Center for the Study of the American Artist, will add the title of Vice President of Museum Research and Scholarship.  Dr. Marley has been with PAFA for twelve years and will lead a museum team focused on exhibitions, acquiring new works, and the stewardship of PAFA’s vast collection through its registration, imaging, archiving, and conservation programs.  Dr. Marley is a scholar of American art and material culture from the colonial era to 1945.

PAFA will shift museum operations to Ms. Monica Zimmerman, the Vice President of Public Education and Engagement.  Ms. Zimmerman has been with PAFA for fifteen years, with a track record of expanding museum education audiences, including the current student body and alumni, and optimizing the Visitor Services and Continuing Education operations. 

Dr. Marley shared, “I am excited to serve PAFA in this expanded capacity and to continue to partner with my long-standing thought collaborator Monica Zimmerman.  Together, we will continue to develop new and expansive ways to connect with our audiences and across our campus, both digitally and in-person, in Philadelphia and across the globe.  It is an honor to steward the legacy of PAFA's museum and to shape the vision of how we tell the stories of American art to the varied communities we serve.”

"I look forward to continuing the work of bringing the entire audience experience of our great collection under one umbrella,” said Ms. Zimmerman. “PAFA has many outstanding offerings across the institution.  Now is an opportune time to focus on post-pandemic recovery and greater synergies among the Museum, the College, and Public Education offerings."