ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.- The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg today announces Anne-Marie Russell as new Interim Executive Director. Anne-Marie joins the MFA from Architecture Sarasota, where she recently served as Executive Director.

“We are so pleased to announce Anne-Marie Russell as interim Executive Director,” said Dimity Carlson, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Under Anne-Marie’s leadership, we will continue to evolve the MFA to serve as the dynamic cultural destination that the community of St. Petersburg and beyond, knows and loves. Anne-Marie’s experience as an entrepreneurial leader, her training in art history and anthropology, and her rigorous connoisseurship skills bring a unique perspective to the largest encyclopedic museum in Florida. We look forward to accomplishing great things together.”

Russell brings to bear more than 25 years of expertise in cultural production leadership to the MFA. As interim Executive Director, Anne-Marie will be responsible for continuing the successful momentum of the MFA. She will provide leadership and support to the accomplished staff in the curation of new and upcoming exhibitions, build out the MFA’s encyclopedic collection, and ensure that the museum maintains the high-quality experience for which it’s celebrated.

“I'm honored to join the MFA at this time, and to build on the exceptional work of so many others,” states Russell. “The MFA's collection, exhibitions, and public programs represent the highest level of museum-practice, and we are looking forward to continually expanding and inspiring audiences while embracing the freedom to re-imagine how art museums can better serve our communities. The ability to share my expertise with such an extraordinary museum, one that stands amidst a rich landscape of cultural institutions in St. Petersburg, is thrilling. I am looking forward to working in partnership with the Board, the talented staff, our members, constituents, colleagues, and supporters in the area.”

Russell was the inaugural Executive Director of the Sarasota Art Museum and previously the Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tucson. Most recently, she served as Executive Director for Architecture Sarasota. She received a BA in cultural anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an MA in art history from the University of Arizona. Russell succeeds Kristen A. Shepherd, who served as CEO and Executive Director of the MFA from December 2016 to August 2022.

Russell is joining the MFA at a pivotal moment. With exciting exhibitions such as the nationally acclaimed Gio Swaby: Fresh Up coming to a close, and the opening of True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism on the horizon, the MFA looks forward to continued growth and momentum under Russell’s tenure.