NEW YORK, NY.- Richard Armstrong, Director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum, has announced the appointment of David Van der Leer as the Guggenheim’s new Assistant Curator of Architecture and Design.

In making the announcement, Mr. Armstrong spoke of Mr. Van der Leer’s unique combination of skills: “David’s work with renowned architectural firms, coupled with a master’s degree in Urban and Architectural Theory and impressive publishing and lecturing experience, make him an ideal candidate for the Guggenheim as it joins forces with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to organize Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward, our anniversary exhibition set to open in May 2009.”

In addition to concentrating on the coordination of the museum’s forthcoming Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition (May 15 – August 23, 2009), Mr. Van der Leer’s initial focus will be on other architecture-related programming for the Guggenheim’s 50th Anniversary, which begins in 2009.

Regarding Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward, Mr. Van der Leer said, “It is an honor to work with Thomas Krens and the talented Guggenheim team, as well as with Bruce Brooks Pfeiffer, Oscar Munoz, and Margo Stipe of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Together we hope to develop a refreshing exhibition that shows the importance and beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright’s intriguing spaces.”

Prior to joining the Guggenheim, Mr. Van der Leer was Publications and Exhibitions Manager for Steven Holl Architects, where he developed several exhibitions and initiated and produced numerous publications. A frequent lecturer and contributor to such prestigious architectural publications as Domus, Azure, Mark, Pin-Up and the Architect’s Newspaper, Mr. Van der Leer previously worked for architect Rem Koolhaas at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and for 010 Publishers, also in Rotterdam. He earned his MA in Urban and Architectural Theory at the Department of Art and Cultural Sciences at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam.