The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is closing in on its search to replace late director Peter C. Marzio, who passed away in December 2010 after a battle with cancer. Sources close to the museum say a decision could happen in as little as two weeks.

As a short list of names circulates throughout the museum world, the Houston Chronicle recently reported two possible finalists: Kimerly Rorschach, director of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and Gary Tinterow, chairman of the 19th-century, modern and contemporary art department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

"Both candidates are highly respected in their fields," said Bill Arning, director of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, echoing many sentiments heard within the city's art community. "These individuals indicate that the museum is strong and is looking to run a successful ship."

Nevertheless, certain factions admit surprise at the possibility that two relatively lesser-known figures are being seriously considered for the post. Some suspect a number of major directors are sitting tight amid rumors of the retirement of National Gallery of Art director Earl A. Powell, III in a couple of years. The thinking is that someone interested in that job would be hesitant to make a long-term commitment to Houston.

Others anticipate a transition similar to recent changing directorships at the Met and the Art Institute of Chicago, both of which chose to carry over interim directors rather than selecting leaders outside museum walls. This camp looks to current MFAH interim director Gwendolyn Goffe to fill the position.

Rumors about possible candidates circulated this past May with two articles in the New York Times — one suggesting Indiana Museum of Art director Maxwell L. Anderson and another pointing to the aforementioned Met curator Tinterow. Anderson, who the Times felt was Marzio's closest approximate, has been off the list since accepting a directorship at the Dallas Museum of Art.

"The biggest mistake would be to think there's another Peter Marzio out there," said Ford Bell, president of the American Association of Museums, noting the late director's unique understanding of the link between art institutions and the broader community. This connection to the public, Bell stressed, is paramount to filling any museum directorship in the 21st century.

"Museum directors once focused primarily on the art. Now they wear many hats," he said. "Art museums are no longer isolated institutions on the hill."

Regardless of who the museum selects to fill the prestigious post, the MFAH certainly will continue acquiring and displaying modern and contemporary pieces, which has become central to the museum's mission since receiving a $400 million bequest from Caroline Wiess Law for works created after 1900.

The MFAH is currently awaiting submissions from three design firms — Morphosis, Snøhetta and Steven Holl Architects — for a new high-profile building devoted to modern and contemporary works across the street from museum's current Bissonnet site.

Sources say the museum would like to have a new director in place before a decision is made on the selection of an architect for the new building in late January.

"The search process still continues, but no firm timeline has been established," said MFAH communications director Mary Haus, declining further comment on candidates or a final decision date.