Smithsonian resignation

Ned Rifkin, the Smithsonian Institution’s undersecretary for art, will leave the post in April.

Rifkin, 58, who has overseen eight art museums since 2004, is the only one of the Smithsonian’s top five officials who isn’t serving an interim appointment. Former Secretary Lawrence Small resigned in March 2007 amid scrutiny of his spending and compensation.

The Smithsonian Board of Regents is searching for a new secretary, and a decision is expected this month. Cristian Samper has been serving as acting secretary for the last year.

“I was prepared to leave a year ago when Cristian Samper was installed as acting secretary, but he asked me to stay,” Rifkin said this week. “My desire was to leave in front of the appointment of the new secretary so it wouldn’t appear as if I was commenting on their selection.”