Museum Director Advocates for Collaborative Art Institutions Amid Funding Challenges

Daisy Nam, director of the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts in San Francisco, argues that museums need to prioritize public service over expansion and branding. In an ArtReview article from March 2026, she highlights the threat of cultural amnesia in the United States and calls for diverse art spaces beyond major cities. Nam criticizes the disconnect between wealth in technology hubs like the Bay Area and support for cultural institutions, warning that reliance on donor cultivation leads to financial instability. She emphasizes collaboration between institutions through shared programs and commissions as essential for sustainability, advocating for museums to build lasting community relationships rather than focusing on marketing.