Anne L. Poulet, director of New York's Frick Collection since October 2003, is to retire next year.

Making the announcement, Frick Collection chair Margot Bogert said: "The Board of Trustees is deeply indebted to Anne for her leadership of The Frick Collection and accepts her retirement with enormous regret.

"Having served the institution with great distinction, commitment, and wisdom, she leaves the Frick- both the museum and the library - with a brilliant and multi-faceted legacy and a glowing and solid future."

In addition to being instrumental in the acquisition of a number of key artworks for the collection, Poulet has overseen a considerable programme of renovation and improvement at its East 70th Street home.

In the summer of 2007, the Fragonard Room was relit and refurbished for the first time in sixty years, an award-winning initiative which was followed in 2008 by a similar project in the central Living Hall.

In 2009 the limestone in the Garden Court received its first cleaning since the museum opened in 1935, while later that year the East Gallery was relit, renovated, and reinstalled.

Further improvements include the comprehensive relighting, repainting, and reinstallation of the Boucher and Octagon rooms - currently in progress - and an upgrade to the system of illumination in the West Gallery.

Most recently, it has been announced that the Frick will soon be breaking ground on a project - expected to be completed by the autumn of next year - to enclose the portico facing the Fifth Avenue Garden (Leisure Opportunities, 17 June 2010).