The La Jolla museum’s executive director will depart for UC Irvine; her last day at MCASD will be Jan 30.

After nine years, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s David C Copley Director and chief executive, Kathryn Kanjo, will leave to direct the UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art. Kanjo’s last day at the La Jolla museum will be Friday, Jan 30.

Kanjo’s tenure at MCASD, for which she was its first female chief executive, began in 2010 as chief curator.

Kanjo will miss “La Jolla’s distinctive arts community,” she told lajolla.ca via email, “from the Athenaeum [Music & Arts Library] and the La Jolla Music Society in The Village to the [La Jolla] Playhouse at UC San Diego.”

Kanjo oversaw the massive expansion and renovation of the museum with Selldorf Architects, which quadrupled the gallery spaces.

MCASD’s transformation is among Kanjo’s memorable moments during her 15 years there, she said.

“I can reflect on the transformation along Prospect while we were in construction—from the endless construction fence, to today’s glorious facade and gardens.”

“Kathryn’s vision, dedication and vast knowledge of contemporary art have shaped MCASD in profound and lasting ways,” MCASD board President Maryanne Pfister said in a statement. “We are grateful for her years of service and wish her great success in her new role at UC Irvine.”

Kanjo “treasured the opportunity to reinstall MCASD’s lauded collection following the renovation,” she said, and looks forward to “mining the complex holdings of UC Irvine Langson OCMA, including objects from their Irvine, Buck and OCMA collections.”

MCASD’s executive committee officers have formed a selection committee to launch a national search for Kanjo’s replacement over the coming months.

“I know the new leadership will be awed by the depth of the collection, the talent of its staff and the dedication of its patrons,” Kanjo said.