NEW YORK—The Museum of Modern Art has announced that curator Ann Temkin will replace John Elderfield, who retired in July, as chief curator of painting and sculpture.

"After an extensive, international search, Ann was clearly the best candidate to lead the department," said museum director Glenn Lowry. "She is an outstanding curator who has already played an important role at the museum. She brings to this position a breadth of knowledge and passion for modern and contemporary art that is exemplary and that is matched by her gifted scholarship and ability to work with colleagues across the institution and beyond."

In her new position, Temkin will guide all aspects of the department, including installations, acquisitions, exhibitions, and loans.

Temkin has been a curator of painting and sculpture at the museum since 2003 and has played a key role in acquiring works by both established names and emerging artists. She has organized exhibitions such as this year's "Color Chart: Reinventing Color, 1950 to Today" and installed the painting and sculpture collections in the new museum in 2004.

Temkin began her career as a curatorial assistant at MoMA, working in the department of painting and sculpture from 1984 to 1987. She then served as a curator of modern and contemporary art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 1990 until 2003.