The American Museum & Gardens has appointed Lucy Littlewood as its new director.
Littlewood, who starts at the Bath venue on 1 March, is chair of Turner's House and has previously held director role at St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Museum of the Home. She has also worked for the British Council, Serpentine Gallery and Macmillan Cancer Support.
She joins the American Museum as the US enters its 250th anniversary.
“This is a museum with an extraordinary story to tell — not only about American history, but about creativity, identity and the shared cultural connections between the UK and the US,” Littlewood said. “I’m excited to build on its unique strengths, broaden its reach and transform the museum into a truly international destination for American art and ideas.”
The American Museum & Gardens was created by an Anglo-American couple, Dallas Pratt and John Judkyn, and opened to the public in 1961 to showcase American decorative arts.
It shows two or more special exhibitions a year, covering fashion, photography and art, and runs an events programme featuring music, outdoor theatre, talks and wellbeing activities.
The museum is housed within a Grade I-listed Georgian estate of 125 acres of historic parkland, ancient woodland and formal gardens, with a gallery shop, deli and children’s play area.
