Stated Goal

: And his stated goal is it to turn it into one of the world top 10 museums. "Josh is a proven leader with a strong vision for museums in the 21 t century," says Bonnie Brooks, chair of the ROM board of trustees. "The ROM is one of a few major museums in the world," says Basseches, "with encyclopedic collections spanning across art, culture and nature, according to Hamilton Spectator. My vision is to continue to enhance the relevance and impact of the museum, strengthen our visitor experiences and transform us into one of the top 10 museums in the world." But there a catch. Joshua Basseches, billed as a transformative leader at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., has been chosen by the search committee to be the ROM next chief executive officer. Before he starts work at the ROM in early 2016, Basseches — a U.S. citizen who grew up in Washington, D.C., — has to be cleared by the immigration department of Canada federal government. The ROM has recently had a troubled time, facing debt, revenue shortfall and discontent among many members of its large staff. Once that hurdle is passed, Basseches will face a titanic challenge running a $55-million museum which, like the dinosaurs for which it is beloved, has become an endangered species. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.