The Peale, Baltimore’s “Community Museum,” has named veteran arts executive John Suau to be its new executive director, effective Jan. 6.
Suau replaces founding director and chief strategy officer Nancy Proctor, who told the museum’s board of directors earlier this year that she wanted to step down. Over the past eight years, with various titles, Proctor has led an effort to reinvigorate the museum after a period of dormancy and uncertainty. With the Peale’s board, she oversaw the completion of a five-year, $5.5 million renovation of its historic home at 225 Holliday St. near City Hall, and she has been credited with redefining The Peale as a national model for community museums.
Suau has more than two decades of leadership experience in cultural heritage, museum innovation and institutional transformation. He is the founder and CEO of IDbGLAM, an international database for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM). From 2014 to 2019, he was the Museum and Library Director of the DC History Center, formerly known as the Historical Society of Washington, D. C., where he fostered a partnership with Apple to renovate the museum’s historic building and introduce new community-led programming. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums.
As Education and Diversity Manager for the American Alliance of Museums from 1998 to 2002, Suau established its Diversity Coalition, a national network of emerging museum professionals. The coalition includes representatives from groups such as the Association of African American Museums; the ADA Taskforce; the AIDS Network; the Alliance for Gay & Lesbian Concerns; the Asian Pacific American Network; the Latino Network, the Native American Network and the Council of American Jewish Museums.
The Peale is based in the oldest museum building in the United States, a city-owned landmark that was designed by Robert Cary Long Sr. for artist Rembrandt Peale, who operated it as a museum from 1814 to 1829. It’s considered the first “purpose-built” museum in the Northern Hemisphere. It then became Baltimore’s City Hall (1830 to 1875); one of its first public schools for African Americans (1878 to 1887); a mix of commercial and industrial uses (1888 to 1929), and Baltimore’s first municipal museum (1930 to 1997).
After the city museum closed in 1997 due to budget cutbacks, its collection was transferred to the Maryland Historical Society, now the Maryland Center for History and Culture. The building was abandoned for 20 years before the start of the multi-year renovation that led to its reopening in August of 2022. Proctor joined The Peale in 2017 as its (re)founding director, spearheading its capital campaign and guiding its renovation. It now includes community exhibition and programming space, a lab for innovating museum practice and a training and apprenticeship program for exhibition preparation and the historic preservation trades. It provides a platform for artistic, scientific, and cultural projects where collaborators can connect with communities in Baltimore and beyond and share their stories both in the historic Peale building and online.
Proctor said in a message posted online in September that she believed the time was right to turn the organization over to others.
“After nearly 8 years as the (re)founding Director of the Peale, it’s time for me to welcome new leadership to Baltimore’s Community Museum and demonstrate that what we’ve built together is a truly sustainable community anchor,” she said in her message. “I’m excited to see where a new Executive Director will take The Peale…This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the next phase of The Peale’s 210-year legacy.”
The Peale’s board launched a nationwide search after Proctor said she wanted to step down.
“We are thrilled that John will be guiding The Peale in this next chapter of its 210-year-old story,” said William Chickering, The Peale’s board president, in a statement. “His leadership represents both growth and continuity with the mission and vision that have guided the renovation of the 1814 museum building and its relaunch as Baltimore’s Community Museum.”
Proctor has told the board she will remain engaged as a consultant and collaborator to ensure a smooth leadership transition and support The Peale’s continued growth.
“John’s energy and ideas are breathtaking,” she said this week. “Our goal has always been for The Peale to remain dynamic and inclusive of new voices and directions for the organization. I am excited to continue to support The Peale and engage with Baltimore’s creative communities in new ways through its ever-evolving platform.”
Suau is familiar with Baltimore from his years with the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums.
“Baltimore has always held a special place in my heart,” he said in a statement. “From my time as Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, based in Baltimore from 2002 to 2006, I came to love this city as a vibrant center for creativity and community. It feels like coming home to step into this role at The Peale.”
Under Suau’s leadership, directors say, The Peale will focus on expanding community engagement, strengthening partnerships, and advancing its mission to celebrate Baltimore’s history, creativity, and innovation. Events welcoming Suau to The Peale will be announced in early 2025.
“Building on Nancy’s extraordinary foundation is both a privilege and an inspiration,” Suau said. “Together with The Peale’s talented team and Baltimore’s creative community, I look forward to amplifying the voices and stories that make this city a cultural treasure.”
