Oberlin College Names Jon Seydl as Director of the Allen Memorial Art Museum

Oberlin College and Conservatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Seydl as the new John G. W. Cowles Director of the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Seydl becomes the 11th director in the museum's distinguished history, succeeding Andria Derstine, who stepped down in December 2024 after more than a decade of transformative leadership. He will begin his tenure on July 1.

Seydl brings to Oberlin a wide-ranging background in museum leadership, curatorial innovation, and community-focused programming. Since 2018, he has served as director of Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he led the museum through a major strategic shift emphasizing equity, care, and institutional accountability. Under his leadership, Krannert strengthened ties with historically underrepresented communities, launched acclaimed exhibitions, and completed a sweeping building renovation.

"It is beyond thrilling to join the brilliant team at the Allen Memorial Art Museum," says Seydl. "I have long admired the Allen; its vibrant student and faculty engagement is the gold standard for university art museums. The stunning collections offer endless opportunities for the college and the broader community to explore the most pressing issues of our time. It's also a joy to return to the incredible arts ecosystem of Northeast Ohio, where my partner and I have a close-knit community of friends. After eight fulfilling and exciting years at Krannert, I look forward to maintaining the Allen's excellence, supporting the faculty and staff, and building new partnerships across the city of Oberlin and the region."

Seydl's career includes roles at several of the country's leading institutions. He previously held curatorial posts at the Worcester Art Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the J. Paul Getty Museum and has served in academic roles at Case Western Reserve University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Pennsylvania. His scholarship and curatorial practice reflect a deep commitment to accessibility, historical rigor, and contemporary relevance.

The search committee for the directorship was chaired by Laura Baudot, senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Members included faculty from both the college and conservatory, as well as members of the museum's visiting committee. "We are deeply grateful to the search committee for their thoughtfulness and care throughout this process," says Baudot. "Jon rose to the top of a competitive pool as a visionary, sensitive, and collaborative leader-someone who commands respect while genuinely caring for the people he leads. As one committee member noted, 'He has a PhD in early modern Italian art but also understands the complexities of contemporary repatriation politics in Peru.' That breadth is exactly what the Allen needs in this moment."

Katie Solender, who has served as interim director since December and participated in the search, praised Seydl's unique mix of academic and civic experience. "Jon's background working at major civic museums and his focus on public engagement ensures he brings both curatorial depth and a commitment to visitor service," she says. "He's an ideal match for the Allen's dual role as a teaching museum and public institution."

David Kamitsuka, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, also enthusiastically welcomed Seydl's appointment. "Jon understands the power of museums in academic settings to be catalysts for student learning and community connection. We are excited for the vision and energy he will bring to Oberlin." Kamitsuka also extends sincere gratitude to Katie Solender for her exceptional leadership during this transition: "Her deep knowledge of the Allen, steady guidance, and unwavering commitment ensured continuity and care for both the museum staff and our broader community during this pivotal period."

Seydl's arrival at the Allen follows a decade of impressive growth under the stewardship of Derstine, who was recently appointed deputy director and chief curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art. During her tenure, the Allen expanded its collections-especially in works by women and artists of color-and secured significant endowments and conservation projects, cementing the museum's national reputation for excellence and innovation and status as one of the premier academic art museums in the country.