The American Folk Art Museum in New York, which almost went out of business last year because of financial struggles, has appointed a new director, the museum announced Wednesday.

The board selected Anne-Imelda Radice, who recently served as director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that supports the work of libraries and museums. She will start next week.

Struggling under a deficit and disappointing attendance, the museum was forced to close its new flagship building in Midtown in 2011 and move to its smaller current location at Lincoln Square in Manhattan.