Milwaukee Art Museum has appointed a new director. Green Bay native Daniel T. Keegan replaces David Gordon, who announced last year that he would leave in 2008.

Keegan, 58, was executive director of the San Jose Museum of Art in California since 2000. He was also a founding board member of the Zero One San Jose international media art biennial in 2006.

"I've seen what has been achieved here in Milwaukee and believe this is a tremendous opportunity to work at a leading Museum of Art and with a wonderful community building on a solid and sustainable base of support," said Keegan in a statement. "It's also a great honor to come back to Wisconsin, to Milwaukee, and to direct a Museum that has established itself nationally as a cultural leader with a track record of excellent exhibitions and a great art collection.

"It's very exciting to return to a place that is near and dear to my heart. My family is here in Wisconsin and my wife, Janné, and I come back for visits each year. I look forward to becoming involved in the community and being active in the arts movement in the state."

Keegan was executive director of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Mo., from 1997 to 2000 and was chairman of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Art from 1992 to 1997. He was an associate professor and coordinator of the Department of Art at Avila College in Kansas City, Mo.

Keegan earned a master of fine art's degree from Southern Illinois University after a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.