Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg announces new executive director and CEO

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg announced its new executive director and CEO. Klaudio Rodriguez was selected after a national search and comes from The Bronx Museum of the Arts in New York. He will assume the role in October.

The museum’s previous director, Anne-Marie Russell, officially stepped down in March after being hired in 2022 as interim director after the resignation of former executive director and CEO Kristen Shepherd. Russell got the official position in March 2023.

In November, it was announced that she was stepping down after a turbulent period that saw the departure of critical staff members. Since then, the museum’s operations have been led by chief curator Stanton Thomas and chief strategy officer Darcy Schuller.

Rodriguez worked at The Bronx Museum for seven years and was most recently its executive director. According to a news release, his notable achievements include “leading it through a significant transition period, and overseeing a transformative $33 million capital project.”

Previously, Rodriguez was chief curator at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Art at Florida International University in Miami. He has a bachelor of arts in art history with a minor in photography and a masters in Latin American and Caribbean studies from Florida International University, where he also received a graduate certificate in museum studies.

“Klaudio brings an unparalleled blend of leadership, curatorial expertise, and innovative vision that aligns perfectly with our mission to engage, educate and excite diverse communities by collecting, exhibiting, and preserving works of art for the enrichment and enjoyment of all,” board of trustees chair Piers Davies said in the release.

Rodriguez said he is inspired by the museum’s encyclopedic collection and looks forward to building on its history, “expanding its reach, and developing the relationships critical to the future success of this institution.

“Together, we will continue to inspire, educate, and connect our community through the power of art.”