AASLH Member Since 1995
John Suau, a widely recognized global expert in arts and collections management, cultural partnerships, and diversity will join The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. (“HSW”) as Executive Director starting March 3, 2014. The Society’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Suau’s appointment February 20, following a six-month executive search. Over the last two years with the help of interim management and search consulting services from the Arts Consulting Group, the Society has stabilized its finances, reopened its Kiplinger Research Library, and restarted regular programming.
“We are incredibly lucky to have John on our team,” said Julie Koczela, Chair of HSW’s Board of Trustees. “He joins the Society at a very exciting moment in our 120-year history and he brings with him all the professional tools, expertise, and contacts needed to expand the Society’s mission into the 21st century. John will also help us navigate our potential partnership with Events D.C. and the International Spy Museum to redevelop the Society’s home in the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square.”
Suau is an accomplished arts administrator with a broad range of domestic and international experience. He served as Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, and as Manager of Meetings, Professional Education, and Diversity for the D.C.-based American Alliance of Museums. In that role, he helped coordinate the only hemispheric conference about museums, cultural tourism, and sustainable communities. “I am passionate about libraries, museums, and other collecting organizations and see this role as an opportunity of a lifetime,” Suau said. “The Society’s strengths in historic collections, publishing new research, and developing innovative programming help to position HSW to play a leading role in sharing Washington’s rich history through new technology.”
Suau’s most recent collaborative projects include marketing two technology companies that assist museums, libraries, and archives with digital platforms. He has lived and studied in Italy and Spain where he worked with art galleries, publications, and film and television studios. He also created and contributes to two popular web publications: “Museum of the Day,” featuring outstanding cultural institutions around the world, and “John the Museum Guy,” a weekly insider’s look at visitor experiences.
About the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. (www.HistoryDC.org)
Historical Society of Washington, D.C., is a community‐supported educational and research organization that collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation’s capital. Founded in 1894, the Society serves a diverse audience through its collections, public programs, exhibitions, and publications.
About Arts Consulting Group, Inc. (www.ArtsConsulting.com)
Arts Consulting Group is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement consulting, facilities & program planning, and organizational development services for the arts and culture industry. With locations in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, and Chicago, ACG consultants are also located in other communities throughout North America to best serve the needs of its clients. 888-234-4236.
