Dr. Janne Sirén is stepping down as director of Buffalo AKG Art Museum
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Director is stepping down from his position later this year.
Dr. Janne Sirén served as the 11th Director of the museum for the last 13 years. He plans on spending more time with his family, and “focused, impactful projects within the art world, working globally as a family ensemble with and for artists, museums and cultural organizations, companies and governments, and private individuals.”
Dr. Sirens calls it “a great honor” to lead the AKG Art Museum, saying in a press release on Wednesday, “I have lived in fourteen cities in seven culturally and linguistically distinct countries. Among all of them, Buffalo stands out as the most welcoming community, a city that is radiant, resilient, and filled with enormous potential.”
Sirén’s tenure was marked by several major exhibitions, the launch of the museum’s Public Art Initiative (which birthed the city’s beloved Shark Girl statue), and most notably, his time oversaw one of the museum’s largest expansions.
In 2019, the Buffalo AKG (at the time Albright-Knox) Art Museum broke ground on what would become the Gundlach building. The $230-million dollar capital campaign expanded the museum’s exhibition space, restored many of the historic facilities, and saw the installation of a new underground parking garage.
“Dr. Sirén’s accomplishments are unique,” said Alice F. Jacobs, President of the Board of Directors. “He built both a world-class museum campus and a platform—one that connects the Buffalo AKG to its community in Western New York and to the global art world simultaneously. Under his leadership, the museum has celebrated its deep community roots and international presence; combining architecture, programs and networks to grow and sustain the museum for generations.”
The Buffalo AKG Board of Directors is expected to develop a plan to fill the position over the summer.