North Texas Museums See Wave of New Leadership

In 2025, four prominent art museums in North Texas welcomed new leadership: Carlos Basualdo became the director of the Nasher Sculpture Center in June, Halona Norton-Westbrook assumed leadership at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in July, Brian Ferriso took over the Dallas Museum of Art in December, and Andrew J. Walker left the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in August. Lucia Simek also departed from Dallas Contemporary in December. Basualdo, who has been in his role for just over a year, emphasizes collaboration, partnering with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and the DMA. Ferriso, in his seven months, is focusing on a significant capital campaign and expansion, with plans to reveal updates in January 2027. Meanwhile, Dallas Contemporary appointed John McBride as Interim Director and Jeremy Strick as Strategic Advisor to ensure stability. The Modern has introduced its first Chief Operating Officer and may concentrate its exhibitions on its permanent collection, while the Amon Carter is in the process of interviewing candidates for a new executive director.