LACMA names a new president

Melody Kanschat, a 16-year administrator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, will take over the museum’s presidency July 1, museum officials said. The move is part of the restructuring that will make the presidency the second-ranking job in the institution.

The top job will go to the director who is chosen to succeed Andrea Rich, who is serving as museum president and director. Rich will retain the director title until she retires Nov. 7. The museum began a search for her successor with the announcement of her retirement in early April.

Kanschat, whose current title is executive vice president, has served in key positions in the museum’s membership, development and external affairs departments over the years. As president, Kanschat will oversee day-to-day management of the institution, a museum spokeswoman said.

This realignment of jobs, museum officials said, gives LACMA a management structure similar to those of several of major U.S. art museums, with an art professional in the top position and management specialist next in line.

-- Christopher Reynolds