Elizabeth Duley has been named head of Collections Management at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. In addition to its world renowned Asian art collection, the Freer houses an important collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art, including the world's largest number of works by James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903). The adjoining Sackler gallery also holds a distinguished collection of works from the Asia Diaspora, and serves as exhibit space for international loan exhibitions and contemporary works of art.

In her new position, Duley will be responsible for solving long-standing storage issues, improving efficiencies in archival management and increasing public knowledge of the galleries' world-class collections.

Since joining the museum in 1990, Duley has served as head registrar and was responsible for overseeing the overall preservation and management of both the Asian and American art collections of the Freer Gallery of Art. During her tenure at the Freer, Duley successfully developed and maintained procedures and systems for the physical care and safety of the collections. She also was responsible for supervising loan objects and overseeing negotiations with lending institutions, as well as managing a staff of up to five permanent collection managers and other support staff. Distinguishing her leadership skills early on at the Freer, Duley was awarded a High Standards of Accomplishment certificate in 1994.

Prior to coming to the Smithsonian, Duley spent five years as collections manager for the Asian Export Art Department at the Peabody Essex Museum and two years as assistant registrar for the Museum of the American China Trade (then the China Trade Museum).

The Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Ave. S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Freer houses a major collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century American art. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 357-1729, or visit the exhibitions section of the galleries' website: www.asia.si.edu.