William B. Crow joined the College of Arts and Sciences faculty in August as the new director of the Lehigh University Art Galleries and professor of practice in the department of art, architecture and design. Crow carries on the role held by Ricardo Viera, who has served as LUAG director and chief curator since 1974.
Previously educator in charge of teaching and learning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Crow led education programming across the museum’s three New York venues—its main campus on Fifth Avenue, the Met Breuer and the Met Cloisters—annually serving more than 500,000 visitors ranging from pre-K through adults. He also led the strategy for all pedagogical training for museum staff and docents, conducted research and evaluation to assess learning outcomes, and supervised a large staff.
He had served in various positions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art since he joined the full-time staff in 2003. He quickly rose through the ranks of the museum, with promotions of increasing responsibility and scope, and was selected for his most recent role in 2016.
During his tenure, Viera established a visual laboratory and teaching collection program, as well as a nationally renowned collection of Latino and Latin American photography and video. Viera also serves as professor in the department of art, architecture and design, where he teaches museum and curatorial studies, the history of photography, visual thinking strategies and Latino art and culture.
“William is a nationally renowned arts administrator and educator who brings to Lehigh a wealth of experience in museum operations and teaching. He is the perfect addition to a gallery that has experienced tremendous growth and garnered a reputation for vibrant programming under Ricardo’s leadership,” says Cameron Wesson, interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Crow said he is “honored to lead the Lehigh University Art Galleries into its next phase of growth and impact and to join the accomplished faculty in the department of art, architecture and design. Throughout the selection process, I was welcomed with open arms, and I am grateful for having received a dynamic preview of life at Lehigh and the City of Bethlehem.”
The arts, he said, “are essential for innovation and problem solving and help us see the world from new perspectives. The rigorous and interdisciplinary climate of Lehigh, along with its impressive art collection, is an exciting combination that will provide infinite creative possibilities. I look forward to joining and contributing to this inspiring community.”
Prior to his time with the Metropolitan, he was a gallery educator at the Morgan Library and Museum, a curatorial assistant with the City University of New York, Hunter College, and an exhibition site supervisor with Creative Time in New York.
He has taught as a Fulbright visiting global specialist for the U.S. Department of State in Lima, Peru, and in faculty and instructor roles at New York University, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University and the New School for Social Research. In 2015, he received the University Excellence in Teaching Award from Johns Hopkins.
