Timothy Potts is the new director of the Getty Museum, and will begin the job on Sept. 1.

Potts, a native of Sydney, Australia, has been director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, since January 2008. He also has been director of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, and before that was the director of the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

The appointment was one of the first big orders of business for James Cuno, who last year was appointed president and CEO of the Getty Trust, the body that oversees the museum, along with the Getty's conservation institute, research institute and foundation.

The previous museum director, Michael Brand, stepped down in 2010, 10 months before the end of his five-year contract, and would not state a reason for his departure, though he reportedly clashed with Cuno's predecessor, James N. Wood (who passed away a few months later). A few days ago Brand was appointed director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.

Many have questioned the Getty's organizational structure, and some have wondered if the president of the trust's job and the museum director job should be merged.

“I have known Dr. Potts for almost 15 years and have worked closely with him on policy positions taken by the Association of Art Museum Directors,” said Cuno in a statement. “He knows and believes in the values of the Getty Trust and the combined strengths of its four programs. I am confident that he brings the vision and experience that will move the Getty Museum forward on an international stage.”

Follow us on Twitter at @LAWeeklyArts and like us on Facebook.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.