Jessica May is the new artistic director at the deCordova

Jessica May has been named to a newly created role as the new managing director of art and exhibitions and artistic director of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. She succeeds John Ravenal, who had been executive director since 2015.

The announcement was made last month by The Trustees of Reservations, which forged a partnership with the deCordova in 2019 after years of financial difficulties at the institution.

In her new role starting April 12, May will provide the direction and vision for art and exhibitions overall at The Trustees, including serving as chief curator for the deCordova. Additionally, she will manage curatorial work at Fruitlands Museum and oversee the “Art and the Landscape” program, the Trustees’ site-specific commission of new art inspired by their landscapes.

Ravenal was responsible for managing everything at the deCordova, including maintenance to fundraising. “No one can replace John Ravenal — he was amazing,” May said. “I’ll have a really strong partner to be responsible for the operational aspects, and The Trustees has an extraordinary fundraising team. In many ways I’ll be free to be super-focused on the artistic program across the board. I’m hoping we’ll be able to build on the amazing legacy at the deCordova also add some of the strengths that The Trustees offers.”

In 2019, Kord Jablonski was named business director, overseeing the day-to-day operations and management of deCordova including the visitor experience, stewardship and resource care, enterprise, engagement, education, and public programming.

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said May, who has a background in art history and curation and did her doctoral dissertation on Walker Evans. She was previously the deputy director and chief curator at the Portland Museum of Art for eight years.

“One of things I’ve been very touched by in the past few weeks is how deeply the affection for the deCordova is felt all over the place,” May said. “They’ve done such incredible work of telling stories about art both indoors and outdoors. It has such a special place in the history of art in New England. It plays a really important role in the modern museum community as well as in Lincoln, greater Boston and Massachusetts.”

“While we have long been an organization caring for and protecting important cultural sites, only in our recent history have we leveraged the power of contemporary art to engage and excite our audiences and to activate our places,” said Jocelyn Forbush, acting CEO and president of The Trustees. “With the addition of deCordova and Fruitlands, our work has been expanded, and Jessica will ensure that this work will be of the highest curatorial standard.”