Rifkin Stepping Down from Smithsonian

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Smithsonian Institution announced yesterday that its undersecretary for art, Ned Rifkin, will leave the post next month.

The departure comes as the Smithsonian Board of Regents continues its search for a new secretary, the arts complex's top position, to replace Lawrence M. Small, who resigned last March amid investigations into his spending.

Rifkin told the Washington Post that his resignation was part of an agreement made with acting secretary Cristian Samper to stay a year after Samper accepted the temporary position.

Rifkin has occupied the undersecretary position, which oversees nine art-related Smithsonian institutions, since 2004. From 2001 to 2005 he was director of the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, where he also served as chief curator from 1986 to 1991.

Samper has announced that he will not replace Rifkin, and that museums and organizations Rifkin oversaw will now report to the acting undersecretary for history and culture, Richard Kurin.

The change marks a period of upheaval for the Smithsonian, which also saw late last year the departures of the directors of the National Portrait Gallery, who will be replaced by Martin Sullivan next month, and the Hirshhorn, who has yet to be replaced.