DOVER — Biggs Museum of American Art’s executive director Charles A. Guerin announced his retirement Thursday, effective June 30.

Mr. Guerin has served in the role at the Dover facility since April 2015. Prior to that, he was the executive director of The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, New York.

Mr. Guerin also has been the director of the University of Wyoming Art Museum, the University of Arizona Museum of Art, the Center for Creative Photography and the Archive of Visual Arts.

A professional in the field since 1978, Mr. Guerin also served as the curator of art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Over his career, he has specialized in directing institutional change and growth. In that capacity, he planned for, built and/or renovated seven institutions across the United States. The Guerin Design Group was the contractor for the Fort Carson Museum of the Army in the West and the U.S. Figure Skating Association Museum.

As executive director of the University of Wyoming Art Museum, he orchestrated its design development and construction.

During Mr. Guerin’s tenure as executive director of the Biggs, he led the museum to new heights and enabled significant changes. He credits an enthusiastic board of directors, his handpicked staff and the state as collaborative partners.

“When I arrived, the board of directors and I had a wish list for the museum’s future. Together, we grew the operational budget and expanded the professional staff from four to 10,” he said.

“The addition of new staff allowed us to establish a vigorous exhibition program, featuring artists such as Rembrandt, Ansel Adams, John J. Audubon, Christo, Dali and Frida Kahlo. Dozens of important new objects were added to the collection. We initiated a major expansion project and achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. Our accomplishments over the past seven years have managed to position the Biggs for greater service to our diverse community and the region.”

With an eye to the future, Mr. Guerin and the board negotiated with the state of Delaware for the acquisition of two buildings adjacent to the current location of the museum: the Kirk and Short Building at 15 and 21 The Green. This will provide the Biggs Museum an expansive presence on Dover’s historic Green, as plans are underway to connect the buildings.

“Incorporating two historic structures into the footprint of the Biggs will not only allow us to expand our viewing galleries for collections and special exhibitions but also will provide additional areas for education, public programs and storage of the permanent collection. The age of the buildings, which are both on the National Register of Historic Places, is a plus, as so much of the collection of the Biggs is concentrated on historic furniture, decorative arts and early American paintings.” Mr. Guerin said.

“We must also look to the future to provide public spaces that embrace the diversity of our community.”

Due to Mr. Guerin’s efforts, in combination with the board of directors and the staff, becoming an accredited member of AAM presents the Biggs with new programmatic opportunities. Accreditation by AAM is the museum field’s mark of distinction and informs the public and lending institutions that the museum is committed to operating ethically, in accordance with field-wide standards of excellence and professional practices.

The Biggs is the third establishment that Mr. Guerin has led to accreditation. As a former AAM accreditation adviser, his knowledge of the lengthy process and the high standards required proved an asset during the accreditation period for the Biggs.

“Of all that was achieved during my time at the Biggs, perhaps the most significant for the institution is accreditation,” he said. “To place it in perspective, of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, only 1,084 are accredited. Dover can be proud to say that their art museum is one of those chosen few.

“I have been honored to be at the helm of the Biggs at such a pivotal time. The board has been incredibly supportive of all our efforts, and I have made some great lifelong friends. While I will miss the people at the Biggs, retirement comes to us all in time. At this juncture, the institution is poised for a new director to step up to lead it into its future and for me to engage the museum field in new and creative ways.”

Mr. Guerin’s successor will be chosen at a later date.