Washington DC’s Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) has named Tacoma Art Museum’s (TAM) Stephanie Stebich as its new director.

Stebich will take up leadership of SAAM – which has a collection covering more than 7,000 American artists, covering everything from African American Art to video games – on 3 April.

In her role as executive director at TAM, Stebich has helped to increase the museum’s permanent collection during her 12-year tenure, also raising funds for a major renovation that doubled museum exhibition space.

Prior to that, she acted as assistant director at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and held positions at the Cleveland Museum of Art. She also served on the board of the Association of Art Museum Directors and currently serves on the board of the American Alliance of Museums.

"I am honoured to have been chosen to lead the national museum of American art in our nation's capital," said Stebich.

"I am eager to tell the inspiring stories of American art through the museum's phenomenal collections and dynamic programs. I look forward to working with the museum's talented staff and the other directors of Smithsonian museums."