Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll’s Statement on Peabody Essex Museum Announcement

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll issued the statement below in response to the Peabody Essex Museum’s announcement that Brian Kennedy has been named the new Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Director and CEO of the museum.

“I am excited to welcome Mr. Kennedy to Salem and to his new position leading the Peabody Essex Museum. His distinguished work leading the Toledo Museum of Art, the Hood Museum at Dartmouth, and the National Gallery of Australia has prepared him well to take the helm of, not only one of our nation’s oldest and most eminent museums, but also one of our community’s leading employers and partner in our city’s success. Mr. Kennedy has a strong reputation for community engagement and I hope he will continue this during his time here in Salem. PEM has been an important partner in the remarkable transformation of our city over the last two decades and the growing prosperity of our community is reflected in the growing stature and reputation of PEM. From a small group of sea captains and merchants, to a world-renowned museum of art, culture, and history, PEM’s growth echoes our own. On behalf of the City of Salem I am excited to welcome Mr. Kennedy to his new role in that important partnership and I look forward to working alongside him and his colleagues at PEM in furthering our shared goals and vision for the future.”