Lynette L. Allston Appointed First Native American President of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Board

Lynette L. Allston has been appointed as the board president of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, making her the first Native American to assume such a significant position at a prominent U.S. museum. Allston became a board member in 2017 and played a key role in creating the museum's land acknowledgment statement last year, which honors the historical presence of Indigenous peoples in the area and Virginia's early interactions with Europeans. She is also the chief council of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia and serves as board president of the Rawls Museum Arts in Courtland, Virginia. According to museum director and CEO Alex Nyerges, Allston’s achievements within Virginia's Native American community will enhance the museum's inclusivity and commitment to diversity in leadership.