Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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photography courtesy of the museum of fine arts, boston Portrait of the Master on the cusp of retirement after his 20-year tenure, malcolm rogers reflects on his most noteworthy moments as director of the museum of fine arts and what he sees for museums in the future. by jared bowen Malcolm Rogers in the Museum of Fine Arts' Koch Gallery, whose renovation he oversaw. "The old dowager of Huntington Avenue" is how Malcolm Rogers saw the museum he was tapped to lead 20 years ago. The Museum of Fine Arts wasn't exactly boarded up, but it felt that way. The front entrance had been shuttered, and visitors were fun- neled through side doors into an institution saddled with financial woes. But under Rogers's leadership, that all changed. The MFA's annual attendance has r isen subst a nt ia lly, t he endow ment is more t ha n three times what he inherited, and the museum has a gleaming new wing that showcases the art of the Americas. Still, Rogers was also labeled a populist and a provocateur. He ignited firestorms of contro- versy for spla shy shows feat ur ing Herb R it t s's photog raphy a nd R a lph Lauren's ca r collect ion and for plunking the yachts of art collector William Koch on the museum's front lawn. It all amassed at tent ion t hat t he M FA—a nd Rogers —had never before seen, a nd may not see in t he nea r f ut ure. After two decades, Rogers plans to retire this year (he will remain until a successor is named). Here he speaks with Boston Common about his legacy, his critics, and the role of museums today. Why are you stepping down from your post? I'm 65, so in 15 years I'll be 80. It's hard not to think about whether there's an opportunity to have another phase in your life before it's time to take it really easy… and 20 years in one place is a long time. Will you remain in Boston? I have a house in England, and I'm hoping to keep my apartment in Boston and come here regularly. I have 20 years of friends here. And it seems a pity just to walk away, sail away. But if that's to work, I have to find something that brings me regularly to America. Do you see yourself working independently " my task has been to take the museum back to its roots... as a resource for everyone in the community." —malcolm rogers 72 bostoncommon-magazine.com PEOPLE Thought Leader