Ghislain d’Humieres, director and chief curator of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, has announced his resignation, effective Sept. 3, to become director of the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.

 “During his six years at OU, Ghislain d’Humieres has been an exceptional leader for the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art,” said OU President David L. Boren. “It is not surprising that he would be selected to lead an important and nationally prominent museum of art,” Boren said. 

“At OU, he has brought all of the academic units on campus together to support the museum,” Boren said. “He also made the museum more accessible to students with his new program of exhibition preview openings strictly for students. He presided very effectively over the building and opening of the new Stuart Wing, and during his tenure, major additions were made to the museum’s collections. The Speed Art Museum in Louisville has made an excellent decision. Ghislain d’Humieres will be greatly missed at OU.” 

D’Humieres, who also serves as the Wylodean and Bill Saxon Chair and associate professor, came to OU from San Francisco, where he was the Assistant Director for the New de Young Opening under Director Harry Parker III. 

He also has worked for Christie’s Auction House in Los Angeles and in Geneva and for Sotheby’s Auction House in London, New York and Los Angeles. In those roles, he collected and appraised works of art from around the world and coordinated major auctions, tours and special events.

An acting director of the museum will be appointed when d’Humières departs. The acting director will serve until a new permanent director is selected.