LYNN – Kate Luchini, executive director of the Lynn Museum & Historical Society, is moving on to a blank canvas at Montserrat College of Art where she hopes she will leave a mark as the director of a new program.”I will be the Director of Studio XL,” she said. “A studio of experiential learning.”It’s a grant funded position that could prove risky but it’s one that Luchini said she is ready to take.Four and a half years ago Luchini took over a sleepy Washington Street museum and since then attendance has grown by 60 percent. She launched new programming aimed at families and children and introduced two popular speakers series.She also started a significant renovation that included increased exhibit and event space along with technology updates.Luchini was also part of hiring the very first Downtown Cultural Director, Emily Ruddock, which is one of the things she is most proud of, Luchini said.The decision to move on is a surprise to some but Luchini said it’s also somewhat serendipitous.Her whole career has been spent in museums and she has no regrets but it isn’t necessarily what she had planned.”I love this place but this is kind of the realization of a dream,” she said.With her move to Montserrat, Luchini will be helping to create art not just hang it.In her new position Luchini will be directing projects like “Across the Bridge,” a project that honored and documented workers at the Salem Harbor Station power plant as they were about to lose their jobs as a result of the plant closure.The program is a big priority for the school because it gives them a taste of real life work outside an internship, she said.Luchini, who holds a sculpture degree, said she’s had a connection with Montserrat since she was in high school and started taking art classes there.That is not to say she won’t miss life in Lynn.”I know it sounds corny but I’ll miss the people most,” she said. “They are very cohesive, professional, talented people who have really worked to move this place forward. I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made.”Luchini called it an exciting time for the museum, which she called an important asset for the city. The merger with LynnArts is still in the works, the development of the Cultural District and partnering with other community groups needs to keep moving forward and new energy could prove essential, she said.Ruddock said praised Luchini for making the museum user friendly, open and a supportive place for creative thinkers and independent workers.”There is no ego involved with Kate at all. It’s all about the institution,” she said.Luchini said that was the nicest thing anyone ever said about her.Ruddock also noted that with the upcoming Artists at the Atlantic show and fundraising event and the History in Hops, beer tasting on tap, Luchini has set the museum up for a very successful autumn.Although she’s moving north for work, Luchini will continue to serve on the Cultural District’s steering committee, so she will be around. Her last day is Oct. 8 but she said she would also be available to help with the transition if need be.”And everybody else is staying in place,” she added quickly.Lynn Museum board president Joseph Scanlon said he can’t say enough about Luchini’s good work and he is pleased for her. He called her untiring efforts a tribute to her vision. Ruddock said it would take a unique person to replace her.Scanlon said the board would begin the search process in the coming months and would include museum members and community leaders in the process.”The Lynn Museum plays an important role in Lynn as both an historical education center and cultural gathering space, and we are eager to find the right individual to assume leadership and build up Kate’s work,” he said.